Halite Pinot Noir 2024

The inaugural release of our Pinot Noir, an electric expression of place.

Vineyard:

Hailing from the biogro certified Grava vineyard on the dry river flats in Martinborough, the vines are grown on the terraces of the Ruamahanga river providing alluvial deposits making silt loam soils. 

Vintage:

The 2024 vintage was exceptional. Hot days followed by cool nights created perfect conditions ideal for structural Pinot Noir with retained freshness. No disease pressure and stable weather was a relief on the back of a couple challenging years.

Winemaking:

Clones 777 and Abel were hand picked (lovingly) by friends and family. Whole berries were inoculated with a pied de cuve (vineyard yeast starter) providing a strong natural fermentation. Gentle cap management and gentle pressing maintained a controlled level of extraction resulting in a pretty and focused wine. The wine then rested in seasoned French oak until it was ready to be bottled (by hand) with a small addition of sulphur. A true labour of love.

Tasting:

Elegant and poised. This Pinot has plenty of drive and intensity with a brambly mix of wild blackberry, cherries and earthy undertones. There is a brooding quality to the palate with generous fruits and mineral flecked complexity which is framed by fine tannins and a pleasing bitter chocolate finish.

Analysis:

pH 3.58, T/A 5.18g/L, Alcohol 13%

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Based out of Martinborough, Halite is one of Aotearoa's smallest wine producers with a focus on organics and low intervention winemaking. These are 'salt of the earth' wines. They are framed on balance, texture, and liveliness but are most importantly yum.

Halite was established by winemaker Haidee and her partner, Ben in 2021. They had recently started a family and while enjoying motherhood, Haidee was feeling the pull back into winemaking. For Haidee, Halite forms an important connection to her identity and an outlet for creative expression.

Organics are not just about farming, it is a holistic outlook which acknowledges environmental symbiotic relationships, considerations for future generations and the community that surrounds us. With this in mind, Haidee and Ben work with grape growers who farm organically and it underpins every step of their process.