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Pyramid Valley

One of the New World’s Most Exhilarating Producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Pyramid Valley founders, Mike and Claudia Weersing, were driven to create one of the New World’s great cool-climate vineyards and it took 15 years and a quixotic global journey that included a lengthy stopover in Burgundy. Mimicking the aspect and soils of this region, the Weersings finally found their special place in the southern hemisphere, within a barren chain of limestone-rich scarps at Waikari in North Canterbury. Inspiring all who came into their orbit, over another 15 years Mike and Claudia emerged as New Zealands pioneers of both biodynamic practices and high-density viticulture. Their minute scale and exceptional dedication to their soils and vines led to some incredible wines being produced.

In 2017, Mike and Claudia were moved to make the tough decision to put their magnum opus on the market. Steve Smith MW (previously of Craggy Range) was one of the many affected by what he describes as one of the most compelling and unique vineyards he has ever visited—he and his partner Brian Sheth acquired the estate in late 2017. Pyramid Valley had no shortage of suitors, and that Mike and Claudia chose to accept Smith’s offer speaks volumes. Smith’s blueprint from the outset has been to honour the Weersing’s vision and to build on the authenticity and integrity of the vineyard’s origins.

Building on the vision and authenticity of founders Mike and Claudia Weersing, the new owners look like a dead cert to cement this exceptional estate’s reputation as one of the New World’s most exciting producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Smith brought in Huw Kinch from Martinborough’s Escarpment as Estate Manager and Winemaker. Kinch was already a huge fan, believing that Pyramid Valley’s Chardonnays were among the most profound examples he had tasted. Nick Paulin then joined from Central Otago, where he had been introduced to biodynamic viticulture under Blair Walter at Felton Road (before stints at Peregrine and Lowburn Ferry).

Since joining the team in the winter of 2018, Kinch (who lives on-site with his family) has spent much of his energy expanding the original blocks, which now extend to 6.8 hectares (still not a lot of vines). Following Mike Weersing’s original vineyard map—which he never got to complete—the new plantings are all on Pyramid Valley’s mid-slope. To add clonal complexity, the new Chardonnay cuttings have included some clone 845 (in addition to the existing Mendoza and 95). The vines are spaced at a slightly lower density of 8,000 vines per hectare to allow more cover cropping and increased soil biodiversity. Kinch is particularly excited about expanding the existing, tiny 0.4-hectare Lion’s Tooth Block. 

Pyramid Valley now releases three collections annually. The emblematic, 100% estate Botanical Collection will be released on allocation. For more general release is their Pastures Collection, which sees Pyramid Valley working with a roster of exceptional growers in North Canterbury, Central Otago and Marlborough. This collection is the Pyramid Valley’s negociant arm—a vital part of this project, with the aim to create a set of wines that share the same sense of somewhereness as the wines from the home vineyard. Finally, the Colours Collection comprises the Sauvignon+, Orange and Rosé.

Currently Available

Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Chardonnay 2021

Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Chardonnay 2021

The wine comes from two vineyards: old-vine Mendoza Chardonnay grown on the Omihi clay soils of Waipara Springs, planted between 1982 and 1986, and Clone 5 and Mendoza Chardonnay grown on Three Sisters Vineyard on Mackenzies Road in Waipara, planted between 2001 and 2002 on Rangitata gravels. Harvested by hand between 12th and 23rd March. The must fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in 20% new French oak barrels for 12 months before settling in stainless steel on light lees for another four months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. It opens with an alluringly reductive and toasty mineral nose before unfurling on the palate in ripe stone fruits, hazelnut and grilled almonds supported by a complex, mouth-filling structure and classic North Canterbury salinity. Burgundy drinkers will feel right at home.

“Impressive chardonnay with grapefruit/citrus, oyster shell, nutty yeast lees flavours and a smattering of spicy oak. Intense wine with power and a pleasing texture that provides backbone and promotes longevity. Delicious wine.”
95 points, Bob Campbell, The Real Review
“Nicely done, even and flowing, quite a square chardonnay if anything, classic stone fruits, cinnamon and nougat oak seasoning elements, a bit of Brazil nut savoury-sweet bitterness and a light floral element that also feels slightly botanical, gin-like maybe. Soft texture, long finish, quite a luxurious wine that feels very primped and preened. Classy stuff, and generally ‘nice’.”
93 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
“This is an intense and beautiful chardonnay with lime, ginger, lemon zest and hints of raw pie crust with ripe apple undertones. Full and layered with lots of flavor yet vivid and energetic. Wonderful now but even better in the future.”
96 points, Jamessuckling.com
“Lifted aromas of grapefruit pith, struck match, white flowers, green melon and briar. Generously flavoured, pointed and long. There's a drive of just-ripe stone-fruit flavours along with nougat, citrus and melon. There's lovely texture and length and the acidity has some real ping and zip to it.”
95 points, Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Chardonnay 2021
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2021

Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2021

This wine brings together three vineyards in North Canterbury: Three Sisters on Mackenzies Road in Waipara, planted on Rangitata gravels; the Porters family vineyard on Mackenzies Road in Waipara, planted in 2004 on Domett Clay soils on an east-facing slope; and the Springs vineyard planted in the early 1980s on Omihi clay soils. The grapes were picked by hand and fermented with indigenous yeasts in open-top fermenters, with 20% whole bunches included. The wine aged in French oak barrels (20% new) for 12 months before settling in stainless steel on light lees for a further six months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, the wine opens with a layered aroma of red plum pit and pretty, lifted floral, spice and dried herb notes. The palate is deep and silky, flecked with ripe plums, liquorice, and more dried-herb flavours perfectly framed by graceful, plush tannins. The finish has a lovely structure, which tapers to a long, savoury and moreish finish.

“Rich, concentrated, fleshy pinot noir with ripe plum, cassis, savoury/dried herb and subtle dark chocolate flavours. Bold, complex wine that is accessible now but has the structure to get even better with bottle age.”
94 points, Bob Campbell, the Real Review
“A brilliance and sweetness of fruit on the nose with cherries and lightly dried strawberries. Orange peel undertones. Medium- to full-bodied, with a tightness and firmness in texture from the linear tannins that hold the wine tight and focused. Very pretty already but needs a few years to fully come together.”
95 points, Jamessuckling.com
“The 2021 North Canterbury Pinot Noir is densely colored in the glass and leads with a far more brooding and saturated nose than the cool 2022 tasted beside. In the mouth, the wine is complex, deep and expansive, with black cherry, tapenade, hints of clove, dehydrated star anise and a hint of salted licorice through the finish. This vintage saw smaller crops, smaller berries and a warm season. There’s also a small amount of whole bunch here, which creates the capacious mid-palate. Also, the 2022 has no whole bunch, yet it tastes spicy and “bunchy,” while here, the whole bunch is aromatically invisible and evident in the exoticism through the finish, the structure and the mid-palate openness. A different expression for a different palate to 2022, but both are wonderful. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.”
92+ points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
“These are special wines for me. My parents' property is a couple of kilometres up the road and I spent many hours walking rows, buggering around in soil pits and having long lunches with original owners Mike and Claudia Weersing as they established their beautiful property. The wines are world class. Wonderfully spiced, plush plum and blue fruits, cascading fine tannins and a defined calcareous cadence born of an outstanding terroir, finishing long, savoury and true.”
95 points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2021
Pyramid Valley Central Otago Manata Pinot Noir 2021

Pyramid Valley Central Otago Manata Pinot Noir 2021

Pyramid Valley opened a new chapter of its story in 2018 when it purchased Jean and Roger Gibson’s highly regarded Lowburn Ferry vineyard in Central Otago’s Lowburn sub-region. Already winning national awards by 2003, the site was planted in 2000 on a gentle, north-facing slope with 30% own-rooted vines and a mix of clones—some of the oldest Pinot vines in Otago. A supplement of higher-density Pinot Noir was planted on a lower terrace in 2018 by Pyramid Valley’s biodynamic specialist, Nick Paulin, who lives on and manages the property. Now renamed Manata, paying homage to a romantic Māori legend of this region, soils are predominantly loess over deep silts that have developed pedogenic lime deposits. 2021 was the final year of organic conversion; as of 2022, the site has been certified organic by BioGro NZ. There are two wines made from this vineyard. The Manata Pinot is a selection of blocks, while a single-parcel Pinot Noir called Snake Tongue now forms part of the Botanical Selection. The grapes were hand-picked and fermented with indigenous yeasts in open-top concrete and oak fermenters, with 15% whole bunches included. The wine aged in French oak barrels (25% new) for 12 months before settling in concrete and wooden cuves on light lees for a further six months. All parties involved are clearly besotted by this “special” vineyard whose wine manifests the dark berry plushness and energy of Central Otago, allied to silky structure and impressive ageing potential.

“Manata is a vineyard in Lowburn, Central Otago which has been cultivated as a market garden for 150 years to produce soils that are high in organic matter. Dense, rich and concentrated pinot noir with cassis, ripe plum, and mocha flavours. Seductive, accessible and tantalisingly complex wine with development potential.”
96 points, Bob Campbell, the Real Review
“Sweet cherry and strawberry with cedar, light tar and stone aromas along with some vanilla bean that follows through to a full body with round and polished tannins and a crunchy finish. A savory tone to the fruit makes this very attractive and enticing. Fine and firm tannined finish.”
94 points, Jamessuckling.com
“The 2021 Manata Pinot Noir is distinctly soft, rolling and round—it sort of flows across the palate in a liquid kind of way (despite the fact that it is, actually, liquid). It's all dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee grounds, black pudding, dark cherry, plum skin and bay leaf. This is a soft, pillowy wine that has magnitude and gravitas through the finish, which is a pleasurable offset. A red apple core at the heart of the wine keeps me coming back for more... a good attribute in a wine. “Those dark characters may be the impact of the last five days of harvest, where we had strong warm northwest winds. It hit 30 degrees occasionally," says Steve Smith, MW. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.”
93 points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
“A wonderfully expressive pinot noir from the Manata vineyard in Lowburn that shows effusive, pure dark plum and cherry fruits with an underlayer of fine spice, vanilla essence, mocha, thyme, wildflowers, dried orange rind and crushed rocks. Very calm and composed on the palate. Fruit-pure and ripe, spice and crushed herbs in layers, tannins powdery fine, bright, lacy acidity and an almost ferrous savouriness to its exit.”
95 points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Pyramid Valley Central Otago Manata Pinot Noir 2021
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Rosé 2021

Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Rosé 2021

A blend of Pinot Noir (96%) and Pinot Gris, this comes from two sustainably farmed Waipara vineyards. The old-vine Pinot Noir (planted in the early ‘90s) is from the Waipara Springs vineyard, which is managed by the PV team. The Pinot Gris is sourced from the Porters vineyard. The fruit was whole-bunch-pressed and naturally fermented in old oak cuves and puncheons. It sat on lees for six months before being bottled unfined. Boom. This has delicious, bright and crunchy summer fruits alongside a subtle savoury and ozone quality that provides aromatic intrigue. There’s terrific, mouth-watering structure with more vivid red fruit and savoury flavours and all the tension and grip you could ask for in a top rosé. This is Huw Kinch’s first rosé, and he’s nailed it.

Boom. This has delicious, bright and crunchy summer fruits alongside a subtle savoury and ozone quality that provides aromatic intrigue. There’s terrific, mouth-watering structure with more vivid red fruit and savoury flavours and all the tension and grip you could ask for in a top rosé. This is Huw Kinch’s first rosé, and he’s nailed it.

“Crafted from vines planted in the early 1980s, the 2021 Rosé (North Canterbury) is whole-bunch-pressed and settled in tank before being wild-fermented in wooden cuves and puncheons, then left on lees until the spring. The end result is a wine that blossoms in the mouth with ripe red fruit and a light savory note. While there’s a hint of sweetness on the finish (the fermentation naturally stopped with 4g/L r.s.), it finishes with a refreshing line of acidity and natural spritz.”
93 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
“Pale, pretty rosé with delicate cherry/berry, raspberry and wildflower flavours. Dry and delicate wine with appealing purity and a crisp, lingering finish. Serious, sophisticated rosé.”
94 points, Bob Campbell, the Real Review
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Rosé 2021
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Chardonnay 2022

Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Chardonnay 2022

The North Canterbury Chardonnay comes from two vineyards, principally Waipara Springs, where old-vine Mendoza Chardonnay grows on the Omihi clay soils. This year’s release includes one barrel of first-crop Chardonnay from Pyramid’s organic Central Otago farm in Lowburn. Hand-harvested several weeks later than in 2021, the must fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in 20% new French oak and 40% concrete ‘Tuilpes’ for 12 months before settling in concrete on light lees for another four months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, it’s a super classy, flinty expression, with savoury cashew notes supported by ripe stone and citrus fruits tethered by underlying salinity. “This is extremely well-made, with sliced dried apples, apple tart, flint and matchstick as well as a hints of smoke. It’s medium-bodied with lovely fruit and a light bitterness that gives complexity and presence.” 95 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

“This is extremely well-made, with sliced dried apples, apple tart, flint and matchstick as well as a hints of smoke. It’s medium-bodied with lovely fruit and a light bitterness that gives complexity and presence.”
95 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
“Intense and appealing chardonnay with white peach, fresh herbs, citrus/lemon curd and a subtle green apple flavour. Deliciously textural wine with a silken and ethereal influence together with a contrasting juicy acidity.”
95 points, Bob Campbell, the Real Review
“Has stacks of flavour and lots of personality. Great waves and slosh of red apple, gingery spice, just-ripe nectarine, honey nut Cornflakes, sugared almonds and a strong, almost Champagne like rapier thrust of saline minerality. Whoosh! That draw and tuck of brine is just awesome and so refreshing, and so much pretty flesh and flavour hangs off it. A very complete and compelling wine.”
94 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
“Waipara-born chardonnay matured in 62% French oak barrels (20% new) and 38% in a concrete Tulipe for 12 months before settling in a concrete Tulipe on light lees for a further 5 months. Light straw with aromas of white peach, apple and citrus fruit with hints of wildflowers, grilled nuts, clotted cream, lemon rind, peach tea, soft spice and crushed stone. Some nice lees-y complexity; texture, too, with a bright, nervy mineral cadence.”
94 points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Chardonnay 2022
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Orange 2022

Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Orange 2022

This year’s blend comprises 78% Pinot Gris, 14% Sauvignon Blanc, 7% Pinot Noir, 1% Gewürztraminer and just under 1% Muscat. The wine brings together three vineyards that are sustainably farmed, free of artificial chemicals or fertilisers: BioGro-certified Porters (Bellbird) vineyard on Mackenzies Road; Pyramid Valley Waikari Estate in North Canterbury; and a tiny amount of Sauvignon Blanc from Churton Vineyard in Marlborough. The fruit was primarily vinified as whole bunches for 12 to 24 days in open-top fermenters, with a small amount of Blanc de Noir pressings added during fermentation. The wines were aged in clay amphora and old barrels for six months without adding sulphur. “We wanted to make an Orange that’s balanced between the tannins and fruit weight,” Kinch told us. “So finer, lighter tannins, something that matches our cooler climate.” Max Allen commented on this wine’s premier release, “Oh if only all orange wines were as downright delicious and as beautiful as this.” It has only kicked on since then. We love the burst of Christmas spices, orange rind, and soft fine tannins that coat the mouth, leaving a savoury and moreish finish. Boom.

“The 2022 Orange North Canterbury is wine’s answer to Campari - or a Negroni. It is a wacky blend of Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc with a splash of Muscat and Gewurztraminer for good measure. Whole bunches are co-fermented to give a dry, attractive, pleasantly bitter twist to this dry, fragrant wine. Expect bitter orange, green olive and herb flavors on the long finish.”
93 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
“Fun orange wine with pear skin, light caramel, and dried ginger. It’s cloudy and light orange straw in color. Dry and flavorful. Honey at the end with more ginger and hints of vanilla bean. Well done.”
92 points, Jamessuckling.com
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Orange 2022
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“You may think you know New Zealand wines but I can assure you that until you have tasted Pyramid Valley, you have no idea. The results speak for themselves: astonishingly good, terroir-expressive wines that will challenge all your preconceptions.” Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate

Country

New Zealand

Primary Region

Canterbury, Waipara and Otago

People

Winemaker: Huw Kinch

Availability

National

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