Winery: Borthwick Vineyard                                   
Region: Wairarapa
Grapes: Riesling
Vintner: Paddy Borthwick
History: Established in 1996 the family owned and managed Borthwick Vineyard perfectly captures the special region of Gladstone, New Zealand. Ancient stony, alluvial soils and cool climate allows the grapes to grow in harmony in their environment. Sustainably practices and minimal intervention in the vineyard and winery gives our wines their distinctive single vineyard characteristics and flavor.
Vineyard Location: Gladstone, Wairarapa, New Zealand. 280 feet asl. Row orientation of north-south for even ripening. Chose the site for the climatic extremes and fantastic soils for growing Riesling. Climatic factors of low rainfall, low humidity and a long ripening season during autumn with fantastic diurnal temperature fluctuations.
Soil Type: Free draining wind blown loess amongst silt loam 25 meters deep on an old river bed.
Age of vines: 5 to 15 years old. Mix of grafted and ungrafted vines with clones, 198-98, GM110 and 239.
Oak Handling: 100% tank fermentation.
Fining and filtration: X-Flow filtered.
Analysis: Alcohol: 12.5% PH:3.05 TA:7.1gms/l Residual Sugar:5.4gms/l Fermentation: Harvested in the early morning when the flavors were at their optimum, the grapes were machine picked and processed quickly. Following a slow cool fermentation in stainless steel the wine was stopped to retain natural fruit sweetness.
Tasting notes: Our Riesling has an enticing aroma of blossoms, limes, and citrus. Dryish to taste with delicate perfumed and fresh citrus flavors. Bottle age will show the fantastic developing complexities of great Riesling.