Bendigo Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 is grown from the Quartz Reef Wines’ certified biodynamic estate vineyard, located in the Bendigo sub-region of Central Otago. The pinot noir is a deep warm colour with perfumed ripe pinot aromatics. It is stylish and emotional. The vibrant palate has good body with spicy minerality that holds defined tannins of Bendigo intensity.
MEET THE WINEMAKER
Rudi Bauer is the winemaker, viticulturist and general manager of Quartz Reef Wines, named after New Zealand’s largest quartz rock deposit that underlies the company’s vineyards at Bendigo in Central Otago. Quartz Reef specialises in creating a range of wines, utilising pinot noir’s many Single Minded Rudi Bauer of Quartz Reef Wines says only a single vineyard can bring out the best version of a grape variety, and his acclaimed Bendigo Estate Pinot Noir is proof with its multi-layered characters and amazing length. dimensions, from pinot gris and chardonnay, to their award-winning pinot noir.
WHY DID YOU BECOME A WINEMAKER?
Because wine is a medium for communication – the bridge or link between people to connect.
WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY BEHIND WINEMAKING?
To bring the land to your glass.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR JOURNEY SO FAR?
I’ve travelled 100,000 miles, experiencing winemaking philosophies in Austria, Germany, California, Oregon, France and New Zealand.
WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT ASPECT OF MAKING WINE?
Timing and weather are both critical for the winemaker. For the Bendigo Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015, a cooler than normal spring was replaced with a dry November and an extremely warm December, just in time to provide the perfect window for the critical flowering period. Dry, warm conditions continued into February, reducing the soil moisture quite significantly. However, in late summer, we experienced above-average rainfall and a cold snap. After unexpected snowfalls in mid-April, harvesting was fast-tracked. Overall, fruit quality was excellent with slightly lower acid and sugar levels than normal.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN YOU MAKE WINE?
Varietal distinctiveness from single vineyards.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST RELEASES?
Our 2015 Pinot Noir and 2014 Bendigo Estate Pinot Noir so far are the best expression of the vineyard and my philosophical respect for the land and pinot.
DESCRIBE THE MAKING OF THE BENDIGO SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2015.
The winemaking was in keeping with the traditional practices of the Old World. All grapes were hand-picked from March 26 to April 9. Each small batch was vinified separately with a small percentage left for whole cluster fermentation, and cold-soaked for up to seven days. Gentle plunging each day, followed by post-maceration of up to 12 days ensured optimum fruit and tannin balance. The wine was then stored in French oak barriques (28 per cent new) for 12 months of wild malolactic fermentation.
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU’VE GOT A GOOD VINTAGE?
You can taste it in the vineyard.
WHICH WINES HAVE YOU BEEN MOST PROUD OF?
Pinot Noir 2012 and 2015.
WHAT MAKES THE REGION SO SPECIAL?
The people.“Wine is the bridge or link between people.”
quartzreef.co.nz
