Dry Riesling - The Water Race 2021

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 Defiance Vineyard on 4th April 2021.  The fruit was whole bunch pressed to stainless steel tanks and cold settled for two days. The juice was then racked and inoculated with selected wine yeast.  The cool fermentation was stopped to retain a touch of residual sweetness to balance the acidity.

Pale lime with clear hues, our Water Race Riesling is a dry style wine with bright acidity balanced with good fruit sweetness.  Fragrant with lemon, lime, musk, orange zest and apple blossom on the nose.  Intense and juicy with lime, tangelo zest, and apricot showing on the palate.  A beautifully balanced wine, with good acidity, mineralogy and texture leading to a long ripe citrus finish.   

Food match: An excellent food wine, full of flavour so it can hold its own against quite strongly flavoured cuisine.  Also excellent with fish and seafood. Goes well against roasted vegetables salads and spicy lentil and black bean dahls.

"Immediately appealing on the nose....leading to a finely flowing palate that's juicy and persistent. Delightfully textured and elegantly structured by bright acidity, finishing long and delectable. Drink now through 2031." Sam Kim.

"This Dry Riesling is attractive and beautifully balanced with an appetising palate" Candice Chow. 

Download wine notes here

Our Wines

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