Dry Riesling - The Water Race 2017

Central Otago's Domain Road Vineyard, near Bannockburn, is sited in a sheltered valley which provides a unique micro-climate, ideal for producing premium quality wines. Our Riesling vines are planted on two vineyards Domain Road and Defiance Vineyard on Felton Road. 

On Domain Road Vineyard the Riesling vines are planted in the lower region of the vineyard where 19th century gold miners left an area of exposed mineral rich ‘pipe clay’, the remnants of a 10 million year old lake bed.  On Defiance they are planted on a north facing slope which are predominantly clay based soils. 

Water races were used by gold miners to carry water and are an iconic part of the Central Otago landscape, following the contours of the hills, often over many miles. Many are still in use today helping transform a dry landscape into useable farmland. Domain Road Vineyard, like many others, relies on the industry of early settlers and their water races to produce its wines, including our Dry Riesling.

The Wine

The grapes were hand harvested from Domain Road and Defiance vineyards on April 9th & 20th 2017. The fruit was whole bunch pressed to stainless steel tanks and cold settled for two day before undergoing fermentation. The cool fermentation was stopped to retain a touch of residual sweetness for balance.

Pale straw with clear hues, our Water Race Riesling is a dry style wine with a crisp acidity balanced with a hint of fruit sweetness.  Aromas of citrus, melon and peach with stone fruit and ginger dominate on the nose with hints of grapefruit and honey.  Lemons, lime, apricot and flint show on the palate. The wine shows steely acidity and minerality leading to a long finish. 

An excellent food wine, full of flavour so it can hold its own against quite strongly flavoured cuisine.  Also excellent with fish and seafood.

Download wine notes here

Cameron Douglas MS review - 94 points

Domain Road Dry Riesling The Water Race 2017 Central Otago - Minerality, citrus and intense apple, fruit spice, citrus peel and crushed rose aromas. Definitely dry on the palate with intense acidity and flavours that match the nose. Lovely long finish, tense and poised. Drink now and through 2030+.

Cuisine: "The colour is beautifully pale which suggests delicate winemaking…..This is a classically balanced drier Riesling with notes of green apple and white stone fruits that demonstrate the value of restraint in fine winemaking". 

Our Wines

• Pinot Noir
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Riesling
• Symposium
• Pinot Gris
• Pinot Noir Rosé
• Chardonnay