Handford Wines

The Donaldson family have been seriously involved in wine since the early 1970's and were pioneers of local grape growing and wine making. Associate Professor and Consultant Neurologist, Ivan Donaldson, is a wine writer and wine judge. He also oversees viticulture and wine styles. His wife, Christine, is business manager and as a passionate opera lover, organises annual operatic concerts in Pegasus Bay's natural amphitheatre. Their eldest son, Matthew, did an oenology degree and a postgraduate diploma in viticulture at Roseworthy College in Australia. He and his partner Lynnette Hudson, who graduated with distinction from Lincoln University with a postgraduate diploma in oenology and viticulture, are the winemakers. Matthew supervises the reds and Lynnette oversees the whites. Another son, Edward Donaldson, is marketing manager and, as a trained chef, supervises the Pegasus Bay Vineyard restaurant. Pegasus Bay is an entirely family-owned and operated enterprise. Within the Waipara Valley, Pegasus Bay vineyard gets maximum protection from the Pacific's easterly breezes by being tucked up under the lee of the Teviotdale range. Heat summation during the day is promoted by smooth stones and gravels left behind by an ice age glacier. The soil is freely draining and of low fertility, resulting in naturally reduced vine vigour. This produces low yields of optimally ripened, high quality, flavourful grapes, which fully express the qualities of this unique setting. An unusually large vineyard staff allows operations such as shoot thinning, crop thinning, berry exposure and fruit selection, to be carried out meticulously.

The Wine

Hand picked and hand crafted from 21 year old vines. Aged 18 months in Burgundian barrels, this has lovely sweet raspberry fruit, plum, damson fruit, with spice and oak on the nose. It's rich on the palate. Damson, plum and raspberry again, create its superbly varietal style with a richness and soft texture that makes it hugely appealing. One of the almost-icons of NZ. Fermented with 10% whole bunches and matured in 30% new French oak, the intellectual 2006 Pinot Noir has a very natural nose, less fruit-driven than expected with more woodland, tertiary scents. Very well-balanced on the palate, slightly grainy tannins, dark fruit but not the usual black cherry. This has damson and mulberries to the fore, again that beguiling sense of earthiness. Introverted on the very natural elegant dry finish. Superb. "Although winemakers Matthew Donaldson and Lynette Hudson look as if they have just got in from an all-night rave, they are presently producing some of New Zealand’s most exhilarating Burgundy-inspired white wines and reds infused with earthy flavours. They are demonstrating the potential of the Canterbury wine region and constitute one of New Zealand’s best producers." 92/100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Single Bottle: £22.95

In a case of 12: £21.80