Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

777 and UCD 5 clone Pinot Noir from the 5.02 ha Araroa (long path) block in our Whenua Awa Vineyard in the Inner Awatere Valley, Marlborough. Hand-harvested, grapes are destemmed, chilled for 7 days in open top vessels before being warmed for a fast ferment with natural yeasts. Post ferment the wine is pressed directly to French oak barriques for winter. Natural malolactic fermentation occured in spring once the temperatures started to warm again. Rigorous barrel selection and final blending with the final blend then left to settle for some months before bottling in early June 2022.

Whenua Single vineyard series represents our special block selection of key varietals to reflect our terroir in the Upper Awatere Valley of Marlborough and Upper Moutere region of Nelson. Special wines produced only in the best years.

Araroa Block of our Whenua Awa vineyard in the Inner Awatere Valley, Marlborough. 'Araroa' means 'long path' in Te Reo Maori. 5.02 Ha planted with clones 777 and UCD 5 Pinot Noir.

The 2020-21 growing season started with a wild and wet spring across the Marlborough region, leading to very light crop levels. Dry and warm conditions over the summer months resulted in outstanding flavour development in the berries with light yields and perfect ripening conditions resulting in an earlier than usual harvest. Hand-harvested fruit.

5.02 ha block planted in 2002. Araroa Block of our Whenua Awa vineyard in the Inner Awatere Valley, Marlborough. 'Araroa' means 'long path' in Te Reo Maori. Planted with clones 777 and UCD 5 Pinot Noir.

Gently destemmed then chilled for 7 days in open top vessels. Warmed for a fast ferment with natural yeasts, post ferment the wine was pressed directly into French oak barriques for the winter.

10 months in French oak barriques, 35% new.

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