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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 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 Sauvignon + 2023

Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Sauvignon + 2023

The best release yet under this label, the ’23 is 100% Sauvignon sourced from two vineyards in North Canterbury: the BioGro-certified Good Family Vineyard planted on Glasnevin Gravels, and the Fraher Vineyard planted on Omihi clay soils. Fruit from both sites is pressed as bunches before the juice ferments in tulip-shaped concrete vats and a few old barrels. This year, 8% skin fermentation and malolactic conversion naturally balance the Sauvignon’s piercing acidity while supporting its innate vibrancy. It’s a cracking release with a pulpy, multi-layered palate enlivened by mouth-watering acidity and tension. In many ways, it is the antithesis of what you might expect from a New Zealand savvy. It’s a don’t-miss for this unique wine.

“Delicate, ethereal, bone-dry sauvignon with subtle power and appealing purity. Pink grapefruit, fresh herbs and a suggestion of wildflowers add extra complexity to a wine that is clearly made with a light touch.”
94 points, Bob Campbell, the Real Review
“This is really something for the vintage, with sliced apricots, orange peel, dried flowers and flint. It’s medium-bodied with nutty and floral undertones to the flavorful finish of caramel apples. Hints of matchstick and smoke at the end.”
94 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
“Light straw with aromas of gooseberry, fleshy stone fruits and Meyer lemon with hints of grapefruit pith, crushed rock, wildflowers, alpine meadow, guava juice, goat curd and passionfruit cream. Some lightly crushed herbs way back in the distance on the palate, some nice textural slinkiness, porcelain acidity and a wicked 'sucking on a river pebble' savoury line. Woo wee, it's great complex drinking.” 94 points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
94 points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Sauvignon + 2023
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 Sauvignon + 2021

Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Sauvignon + 2021

The 2021 is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (97%) and Pinot Gris (three per cent) from two sustainably farmed vineyards in Waipara. The Fraher vineyard (Sauvignon Blanc) was planted in 2002 and sits on soils of Omihi clay. The Porters vineyard, a source of Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc, was planted in 2004 on Domett clay soils. The wine was naturally fermented in a combination of tank, neutral barrels and clay amphora, and five per cent of the fruit was fermented on skins for two to three weeks. The wine sat on lees for three months before being bottled unfined. 

The new release is deep and layered, with aromas of soft fleshy fruits, white flowers, some woody savoury herbs and a touch of tropical fruit. It’s linear, with tight and grippy phenolics, green mango and saline splashes leading to a super refreshing finish with delightful energy and zing. It’s Sauvignon but not as we know it.

“The 2021 Sauvignon + North Canterbury is so named because it isn’t just Sauvignon Blanc; there’s a touch of barrel-fermented Pinot Gris here too. What’s more, 7% of the Sauvignon was fermented on skins in clay amphorae, the remainder in both tanks and barrels. The result is a dry, textural white with a rich midpalate. It’s a delightful apple- and elderflower-scented expression. You’ll also find some floral notes, perhaps due to the skin contact and citrusy acidity. Pretty and finely detailed.”
93 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
"Creamy and smooth with the old oak giving a marvellous degree of élan and composure, and then, at once, the supergrippy acid stuns the palate. There is a curious effect of the local mountain and ocean influences, bringing serious dynamic tension to the wine. The fruit seems more contained and also more concentrated than hosts of Marlborough Sauvignons. There is a definite nod to the shape and momentum of old-school Pouilly-Fumé here, and it works perfectly with this pristine North Canterbury fruit. I would go so far as to say that this is a unique take on this grape variety." 18/20
93 points, Matthew Jukes, matthewjukes.com
“Mostly sauvignon blanc with a tiny splash of pinot gris, muscat and riesling (the “+” in the name), with a small portion of skin contact and amphora ageing. This has gorgeously grape-pulpy aromas that lead on to a tight, mouth-watering, chalky texture on the tongue.”
Max Allen, Australian Financial Review
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Sauvignon + 2021
Pyramid Valley Central Otago Mānatu Chardonnay 2023

Pyramid Valley Central Otago Mānatu Chardonnay 2023

One of the youngest labels in the Pyramid stable, Mānatu Chardonnay come from the Swann Road blocks on Pyramid Valley’s Mānatu vineyard in the Lowburn sub region of Central Otago. There is a range of clones, including Mendoza, Monte, 95 and 548 all planted at a spacing of 1.6m x 1.2m. The Soils are predominantly loess over deep silts and gravels, and, as of 2022, site has been certified organic by BioGro NZ.Wild ferment in French oak (28% new) and left on lees without sulphur for 12 months, it opens with savoury ‘Burgundian' aromas, framed by appealing smoky reduction. It’s equally complex on the palate where measured power meets crystalline acidity and punchy ripe fruit flavour. It’s a pristine, powerful and lithe Chardonnay, at once, both layered and detailed, with a ripple of minerality. Give it a little time and the wine settles into more poised and elegant territory, finishing with sustained drive and precision.

Pyramid Valley Central Otago Mānatu Chardonnay 2023
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Rosé 2022

Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Rosé 2022

100% Pinot Noir from the Waipara Springs vineyard in Waipara, North Canterbury, which is sustainably farmed with no artificial chemicals or fertilisers. Old-vine 10/5 Clone Pinot Noir was planted in the early 1990s, and the site is managed by Pyramid Valley. The fruit was picked on 11th April. The grapes were pressed as whole bunches before fermenting with indigenous yeasts in a combination of concrete tulips and old puncheons. The wine aged on its ferment lees without sulphur for six months before blending in November. The notes below do not oversell this outstanding wine—we haven’t tasted a more exciting rosé from New Zealand. Structured and vinous it may be, yet it is also seriously addictive. 

“The 2022 Rosé North Canterbury is produced from old vine 10/5 Pinot Noir clones planted in the late 1980s/early 1990s. Dry farmed, managed organically, whole-bunch pressed and fermented in concrete and old puncheons before spending six months on lees, the resulting wine is dry, full and savory. Unlike most rosés, it doesn’t focus on fruit but texture. It is complex and concentrated, firm and serious.”
95 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
“Good colour, orange-y, ruddy hue, though flavours are lighter than expected if not suggestively tinged with blood orange tang over red cherry and pomegranate juice. The perfume is attractive, more cherry, some flinty mineral notes, a touch of dried herbs. It has a nice, sinewy chew to it all, fine tannins finish the wine, a little juiciness mid palate for some added bandwidth. Decent drinking, but doesn’t deliver a more complex expression, though that’s sometimes not the point too, of course.”
91 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
“Pinot noir clone 10/5 sourced from the Waipara Springs vineyard, planted in the early '90s and managed by Pyramid Valley. Onion skin and salmon in the glass with aromas of red apple, redcurrant, watermelon and raspberry with hints of red berry danish, crushed stone, pressed flowers, soft spice and crème fraîche. Ditto on the palate with a super sapid, salivating acid line finishing dry, savoury and downright delicious.”
93 points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Rosé 2022
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AT-A-GLANCE

• Pyramid Valley was established by visionary vignerons Mike and Claudia Weersing in Waikari, Canterbury, on New Zealand’s South Island.

• The estate was taken over in 2017 by Steve Smith MW (co-founder of Craggy Range) and business partner Brian Sheth.

• In 2018, Huw Kinch (ex-Escarpment) joined as Estate Manager and Winemaker, while Nick Paulin (ex-Felton Road) looks after the biodynamic viticulture.

• The team manages 80 hectares of vines in North Canterbury, with a further 10 hectares in Central Otago.

• Production focuses on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with small runs of Sauvignon Blanc.

• There are three collections of wines: the flagship, single-block Botanicals Collection from the property in Waikari; the Pastures Collection from selected vineyards in Marlborough, Canterbury and Central Otago; and the more approachably priced Colours Collection.

• The Botanical range is sold on allocation.



IN THE PRESS

“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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