Kaituna Vineyard
ABOUT KAITUNA VINEYARD
In January 2004, Nautilus Estate purchased its fourth vineyard, located less than a five-minute drive from the winery on the north bank of the Wairau River at Kaituna. This 20ha block was planted in 2002 and 2003 in Pinot Noir (4.1ha) and Sauvignon Blanc (14.4ha). Although close to our Opawa and Renwick vineyards, the site is cooler and we can expect a later harvest. The flavours and aromas are quite different from the south side of the river, yielding a different blending component for our Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, and delivering another layer of complexity in the finished wines.
VINEYARD SPECIFICATIONS
Location: North bank of the Wairau River close to State Highway 6.
Elevation: 40 metres above sea level.
Soil characteristics: Stony alluvium with a clay sub-layer.
Climate: Warmer and wetter than the Southern Valleys, Awatere or central Wairau Valley with a cooling valley breeze regularly coming out of the Rai Valley.
Pinot Noir: Early ripening, Clone 115 (planted in 2001). Fruit from this site gives wines with a dark colour, rich but simple fruit and firm tannins. This parcel provides a structural influence on our wines.
Sauvignon Blanc: Mid season ripening. Mass selection plantings. The wines show boxwood notes, and a dried herbal lift.
