Ripe Wine CO

Sorry It's been a while, we have been so busy rolling out RIPE - The Wānaka Wine & Food Festival Presented by Forsyth Barr on the shores of Lake Wanaka and hope a few of you managed to make it along.

Central Otago's best were on show and to keep the wine flowing, dive into the website to keep the regions best drops in your glass.

A spectacular virtual tasting was held last year with Domaine Thomson GM Claudio Hayes and Viticulturist Simon Gourley.

Amongst the delicious drops:

Domaine Thomson - Pinot Rosé:

This single vineyard Pinot Noir Rose has hints of bright crushed violets, strawberry and red currant aromatics.

The barrel ferment and spicy characters on the nose give away to an elegant texture showing freshness and drive.

A complex dry Rose that goes well with variety of dishes and equally pleasing when shared with friends in the sun.

Buy Domaine Thomson range: www.ripewineco.nz/collections/domaine-thomson
See them at Ripe Festival: www.ripewanaka.nz

Did you know not all Gibbston Valley vineyards are actually in Gibbston Valley?

Some of their premium wines come from grapes that grow in the Bendigo region of Central Otago.

Gibbston Valley - China Terrace Chardonnay:
A gentle sloping site located amidst the towering cragginess of the Dunstan Ranges.

Once home to the Chinese mining population during the Bendigo Gold Rush, this vineyard continues to make history by producing award-winning fruit.

The vineyard’s altitude means the warmth of Bendigo is tempered, giving great balance, later ripening and red fruit flavours to its wines.

Fruit from this vineyard is used in our Single Vineyard China Terrace Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Buy Wine: www.ripewineco.nz/collections/gibbston-valley
See them at Ripe festival: www.ripewanaka.nz/vendors

One of our favourite wines to pour this summer (and all year) is the Maude Wines Methode Traditionelle, made in the traditional method meaning the exact way champagne is made other than being made in the Champagne region itself.

Master Sommelier Camdouglasms.com gives this 93 points describing it with a creamy texture, firm and bold mousse - as this settles a silky texture remains; flavours of citrus, honey and stone fruit return. A light baked custard note is constant through the tasting; lengthy, balanced and delicious.

Just named No.1 in the Winefolio Top 10 Tasting of Sparkling Wines

Taste for yourself asap!

A crowd favourite for sure at RIPE - The Wānaka Wine & Food Festival next march. Pair with oysters from The Platter SHARE oyster bar for a match made in heaven 😍🥳🎉🎉

Tis the season to get merry.

This fine wine only gets given to those who were good boys and girls this year (at least for a little bit of it)

Treat yourself and others to this fine drop from Misha's Vineyard Wines

The High Note Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 is the jewel in the crown – the focal point in their repertoire of wines ‘The High Note’ was inspired by Misha’s opera-singing mother and her early life spent in the theatre.

Find it at https://ripewineco.nz/products/misha-s-vineyard-the-high-note-pinot-noir-2019

Find Misha pouring wines at Central Otago's premium Wine and Food event RIPE - The Wānaka Wine & Food Festival

Pink season is upon us ☀️.

Time to get festive and share with friends in the sunshine wherever you may be.

3 of our favourites in this colour range come from Maori Point Vineyard , Quartz Reef Wines and the unique Crossbreed from Nanny Goat Vineyard

Shop them and more to get yourself in the summer spirit...
https://ripewineco.nz/collections/rose

Mount Michael Wines Pinot Noir 2020

Dark cherries and plums, with violets and raspberry, clove spiciness and vanilla.

Rich and concentrated on the palate, the fruity mid-palate enhanced by a mineral core of acidity and chalky dusty tannins.

Delicious savoury finish, with oak toastiness giving structure and length.

94 Points - Cameron Douglas MS

Introducing the newest addition to the Akarua range.....Pinot Rosé 2022

Pale lime straw with clear hues.

A lovely fragrant nose, showing pear, peach, orange blossom and a hint of lemon curd.

The palate is crisp and dry with sweet ripe nashi pear, stone fruit, melon and a touch of lemon sherbet.

Medium bodied with good concentration, crisp acidity and ending with a long mineral finish.

Find it here ⟹ https://ripewineco.nz/products/akarua-pinot-rose-2022

Don't forget to check out Foundation Vendor at RIPE - The Wānaka Wine & Food Festival March 18, 2023

Winemaker James McElrea launched his Central Otago wine brand Black Peak Wines focusing on Riesling and Pinot Noir for the discerning wine market in 2014.

James was part of the winemaking team at Maude Wines in Wanaka for ten vintages which has helped shape his winemaking philosophy.
Before this, he spent 7 years as a flying winemaker in France, Spain, North and South Americas, Australia, as well as in Central Otago and Marlborough.

James has worked with the fruit from this exceptional Queensberry site since 2007 and was excited to be able to create his own expression of this vineyard, albeit in small amounts!

A secret gem from Central Otago, check out our Black Peak range at https://ripewineco.nz/collections/black-peak

Make sure to visit the Black Peak stall at RIPE - The Wānaka Wine & Food Festival 2023

When Misha and Andy decided to set up Misha's Vineyard Wines, they knew it was going to be about people.

People who were skilled in their field, passionate about wine, loved Central Otago and who wanted to be a part of a family business.

Over the many years since starting, Misha’s Vineyard has been proud of the long term friends who are part of the team.

Many of the Misha’s Vineyard team were involved right from the very start, as advisors and historians, winemaker Olly joined from the first vintage and has crafted every wine since.

This shows through in their range of outstanding wines, check out the selection at https://ripewineco.nz/collections/mishas-vineyard

With a vineyard on the edge of the magical Clutha River, Maori Point Vineyard are making some of our go-to wines. This special Barrel Reserve Rosé another stunner.

A dry, subtle, and yet strikingly complex Rosé that is made differently from other Rosés.

It starts with 100% Pinot Noir grapes, harvested by hand. After destemming and crushing they spend eight hours soaking with the skins to absorb just the right colour and flavour. After pressing, this juice goes into French oak barrels to be fermented by wild yeasts from the vineyard. The wine is allowed to slowly ferment to dryness, and given time to grow more complex from contact with the lees.

In total, this Rosé spent twelve months in barrel. Most Rosé never even goes into a barrel!

The result is an elegantly restrained Rose, yet one that shows beautiful nuance with subtle berry fruit, peaches, hints of caramel and spice, a background of dried herbs, and beautiful length.

Simply stunning with food. Vegan-friendly, low sulfites. Only four barrels made.

Foundation Vendors of RIPE - The Wānaka Wine & Food Festival Go and try this wine in the sunshine next to Lake Wanaka next march 😎

Another very unique winery of Central Otago, Domaine Thomson Wines make organic wines in Central Otago AND Burgundy, France.

The team at Domaine Thomson Wines love telling the history of their wines, including the family ties to Central Otago dating back to Surveyor Thomson (also the name of one of their fine pinots) who is the owners Great Great Grandfather, John Turnbull-Thomson mapped many of the regions Mountain Ranges and you can feel his presence when you visit their stunning Cellar Door in Lowburn.

Don't miss them pouring wines RIPE - The Wānaka Wine & Food Festival 2023

Join the Club!

Let our experts help guide you towards your new favourite wines. We have the inside knowledge on some of the best wines in Central Otago.

Sit back and enjoy our curated 3, 6 and 12 packs delivered at your chosen frequency. Start off with a one-off purchase to see how much goodness we can get into each box. (hint: its alot)

Check out options here: https://loom.ly/JA-9xZM

We met (Virtually) with Nanny Goat Vineyard Winemaker Alan Peters-Oswald recently to sip through a couple of his delicious bottles. One was the unique and succulent Crossbreed 2021.

Alan says "Our 2021 Cross Breed displays lifted aromas of Rose water and jasmine leaps from the glass, gradually giving way to notes of preserved Apricot and nuances of dried Apple.The palate is fruit forward, with ripe stone fruit giving the illusion of sweetness ahead of a saline core of fine sinewy skin derived tannin. A bead of bright acidity brings focus, drawing the palate to a long lingering finish reminiscent of white peach stone and fennel."

We agree and now is the perfect season to enjoy this light yet complex orange wine.

Find it at https://loom.ly/DP51vIY

The land was arid and deserted.

The brothers made wine.

Take a visit to the Dicey Cellar Door in Bannockburn, conveniently attached to James' house with Matt's also in view along with their brand new winery and you will appreciate the unique terrior the Dicey brothers get the work with.

See their wines at https://ripewineco.nz/collections/dicey

To celebrate the upcoming www.ripewanaka.nz We have curated multiple selections of Red and White wines from our Ripe Festival producers.

Guaranteed to keep the whole crowd happy 🥂🍷 https://ripewineco.nz/collections/ripe-festival-deals

Get a head start on next years wine festival and preview some of the best wines to be showcased March 18, 2023 at Glendhu Bay, Wanaka.

See the full list of 2023 Festival Vendors at www.ripewanaka.nz/vendors and follow RIPE - The Wānaka Wine & Food Festival wanaka to keep up to date with festival fun.

Nanny Goat Vineyard Virtual Tasting is now live on Youtube: https://loom.ly/LyYBnLk
Check out Winemaker Alan Peters-Oswald telling us the Nanny Goat story and showcasing a couple of his favourite wines.

There is still a special on the tasting package: https://loom.ly/TcYdvrI

Also keep an eye on your emails to see our special offer on Ripe Festival Tickets (if your'e not already on the list, get on it)

On that note....have you seen the Ripe Festival Wine Packs? https://loom.ly/Vzz3BM4

Another Virtual Tasting is upon us, Join us for this unique event. https://uef.soundestlink.com/view/6322aab8309b2f001a268e38/0

Celebrate Pinot Noir Day with a discount on these Central Otago Stunners https://uef.soundestlink.com/view/62fd6e6c6684b60016b07f09/0

August Virtual Tasting Announcement

6pm Friday August 26 - Dicey

Famous Central Otago Family producing beautiful drops.

Have a wine (or 2) with Winemaker Matt Dicey and learn more about their Bannockburn wine story.

www.ripewineco.nz/collections/august-virtual-tasting for more details.

Excellent to hear from one of our new customers 🙏🙏🙏

Our range is constantly being expanded, keep your eyes on our website for all the latest and to find your new favourite wines.

Join the club and we will do the hard work for you 🥂

Next Virtual Tasting host announced soon 😁

www.ripewineco.nz

Join NZ's best Wine Club and choose how often and how many of our delicious wines you want to taste.
There are options for all Wine lovers so don't delay, get that wine heading for your glass today!
www.ripewineco.nz/collections/wine-club-options

Gibbston Valley Diamond Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020

Drawing from Gibbston Valley's most intriguing vineyards, the Single Vineyard range gives full voice to the site. The wine leads with a delightful nose of red and dark fruits, offset by whole cluster notes.

The lift of the fruit carries through the palate, developing into a medium-bodied, yet graceful flow. Whilst the fruit remains light-footed throughout, a line of stem-infused tannin cleanses and propels the finish.

Winery Spotlight - Lake Hayes Wines

Lake Hayes’ winemakers work with growers from across the Central Otago Wine region, selecting fruit that represents the best of their varietal to create plush, red fruited Pinot Noirs lush, fruity Pinot Gris and fresh, bright Sauvignon Blanc.

Lake Hayes wines are a reflection of the land from which they’re grown — a bold, dynamic landscape that’s full of wow, everywhere you look. We source our grapes from carefully selected vineyards across Central Otago’s best growing areas and try to let that fruit express itself each vintage.

The result? Central Otago Wines that are young and lively, yet balanced and sophisticated. Delicious, early-drinking styles full of fresh, fruity appeal.

Quartz Reef Wines Single Ferment Pinot Noir 2019

Deep ruby in colour with a layered bouquet of red berries, floral and savoury notes. Rich and opulent on the palate with dark cherry, plum and spice.

Elegant yet mouth filling with an impressive purity and power. Very good ageing potential.

95 Points - Joe Czerwinski

96 Points & 5 Stars - Bob Campbell MW

Super Classic & 5 Stars - Michael Cooper

This month we are recapping our Virtual Tastings and discounting all of the 23 Wines showcased so far at our Monthly Virtual Tastings.

www.ripewineco.nz/collections/specials

Buy the wines and then watch the Tastings on our Ripe Wine CO - Youtube Channel

Click the description of video to get direct link to your selected wine!

Winery Spotlight: Tomorrows Virtual Tasting hosts - Domaine Thomson Wines
Domaine Thomson Wines is a family owned organic wine producer with vineyards in Central Otago, New Zealand and Burgundy, France.
Owners, PM and David Hall-Jones are dedicated to their vision of making the finest wines in both New Zealand and France wines which express the individual terroir of each region.
"Our commitment to farming organically is the heart and soul of our business. All of our vines, in New Zealand and our Gevrey-Chambertin vineyard, are farmed organically."