Symposium Non-vintage (Bottled 2021)

Domain Road has two vineyards in the heart of the historic gold mining area of Bannockburn. Domain Road Vineyard covers most of a small valley on the upper terraces above the Kawarau River with Defiance Vineyard on a gently sloping north facing site on Felton Road.  The unique terroir with unusual soils and distinctive micro-climate make this old gold mining area ideal for producing premium cool climate wines. 

The Sauvignon Blanc vines used for our late harvest wine are planted on Templars Hill, part of the Domain Road Vineyard, an area untouched by the 19th Century gold miners. This site was chosen for its unique position on the top of a hill allowing the grapes to over ripen without disease pressure.

The Wine 

The grapes were hand harvested on June 21st 2021 from Domain Road Vineyard.  The fruit was foot crushed in bins and allowed to soak overnight before pressing.  The resulting pressed juice was cold settled before racking and inoculation with selected yeast.  The juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks and older oak barrels and stopped to match the abundant fruit sweetness with the crisp acidity.  One barrel of 2019 Symposium was kept in barrel for two years (this fruit had been harvested on June 14th 2019) and blended with the 2021 wine. The final blend was 71% 2021, 29% 2019 Symposium with approximately half oak aged.

Lemon with clear hues in colour our Symposium is complex and mouth filling. Fragrant aromas of apricot, pink grapefruit, honey and oatmeal, with notes of jasmine and sweet spice, are evident on the nose. The palate is sweet and rich on entry followed by brioche, biscuits, pear, honey, apricot and citrus notes.  A lovely juicy acidity balances the rich sweetness leading to a long toasty caramel and apple finish.

Food match: soft cheese selections, blue cheese and gingerbread, or pour over ice as an aperitif!  Also drizzled over ice cream with fresh strawberries on the side. 

Download wine notes here

Our Wines

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