Dry Riesling - The Water Race 2016

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 between 31st March and 7th April 2016. 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.  The nose has a fragrant medley of citrus, lemon, lime and orange blossom.  Lemon, lime, elderberry, nectarine, apricot and honey show on the palate.  The wine is mouth filling with crisp acidity that sits well with its complexity. 

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

Our Wines

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