Dragon Bones 2022 Riesling Waitaki
Complex aromas of citrus, mandarin, and crystallised ginger. A lively palate revealing lemon, star anise and citrus notes. A persistent finish within long lasting flavours. A dry style Riesling.
About Dragon Bones
Dragon Bones vineyard is located in the Waitaki Valley, North Otago, and is 100% off the grid, producing their own power through solar generation. Tim Heyes, Ella McKelvey and their two young daughters are the driving force behind this unique boutique vineyard (which would not be complete without their vineyard dog - a fearless chihuahua named Aslan). Limestone soils in the region inland from Oamaru are home to fossils of ancient sea creatures, which prompted their young daughter to wonder if perhaps ‘dragon bones’ lay beneath their vineyard…
Tim and Ella tell us the rest of their story… “The vineyard has been in the family since it was planted in 2006 by Tim’s stepfather Peter and mother Teresa. After traveling and working overseas, we came to live on the vineyard in 2011, eventually taking it over in 2017.
To produce the very best grapes we believe in putting in the work ourselves, by hand, which ensures that we have full control over the viticultural practices.This means that during each growing season, which cycles through pruning, shoot thinning, canopy management to harvesting, we are always in close observation of what's happening in the vineyard. Nature provides almost everything - sun, rain, soil, heat - we just provide the labour to ensure everything stays healthy and sustainable. We aim to let the vineyard express it’s distinctive terroir and so keep interventions as low as possible. Many years of experience helping produce other premium wines in the Waitaki Valley means we now have an in-depth understanding of viticulture in our small yet unique winegrowing region.
Our grapes are picked by hand then transported to winemaker Antony Worch who makes our wines using traditional methods.
We are lucky to be able to feature artwork on our label by well-known Otago printmaker, Manu Berry."
First Vintage: 2011
Scale: 3 ha
Range: Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Field Blend
Did you know… Along with the rest of the vineyards of the Waitaki Valley/North Otago region, Dragon Bones are among the last to pick their grapes in the country, harvesting as late in the season as May for their Riesling. The bonus is gentle flavour developments over the cool nights and warm days of autumn.
