THE GROWING

Warm dry conditions prevailed in the Autumn of 2021 and will go down as another all-time classic growing season for the dry farmers in Hawke's Bay. These perfect growing conditions provided even ripening across our five noble varieties, allowing us to capture the vitality and bright natural acidity in the grapes.

THE MAKING

Edelzwicker is a centuries old, Alsatian wine term taken from the German words ‘Edel’ (noble) and ‘Zwicker’ (blend). A true Edelzwicker is made from noble grape varieties all picked on the same day and from the same vineyard, giving a pure expression of the vintage and terroir.

Five varieties were handpicked on the same day then de-stemmed and co-fermented on skins for four days to provide additional flavour, colour, tannins, phenol and esterification. The wine was then pressed off-skins and the ferment continued until completely dry in a stainless-steel tank. This year Pinot Blanc dominates the blend (45%), followed by Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer with Chardonnay and Viognier making cameo appearances. This wine is by far the driest and lightest in colour of our Edelzwickers made to date.

TECHNICAL NOTES

PICKING DATE: 1 March 2021

BRIX: 21.4

pH: 3.56

ACIDITY: 6.10

RESIDUAL SUGAR: 0.47

BOTTLING DATE: 7 October 2021

About Petane Wines

Founder and winemaker of Petane Wines, Philip Barber, grew up in West Auckland on his parents Kumeu vineyard, learning how to grow the classics like Müller-Thurgau and Sylvaner from his dad. Philip travelled around the world working in wineries and vineyards, gaining inspiration from a vintage spent with Johannes Selbach from Selbach-Oster in Mosel Germany. He eventually returned home with big ideas and a commitment to growing sustainable, aromatic, dry farmed wines from his own land.

Since establishing Petane Wines in the sub region of Esk Valley, Hawke’s Bay in 2011, Philip and his wife Sarah have built on their sustainable philosophy with a plan to convert the eight hectare vineyard to organic, dry farmed vines, mentored by organic winemaker and grower, Hayden Penny.

The varieties grown include Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Viognier, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, with further plantings planned for Pinot Blanc and Gamay. Petane Wines celebrate vintage variation and allow the natural site to express itself in the finished wine. Thoughtful and labour intensive viticulture goes into tending their vines, this ensures the handpicked fruit arrives at the winery in pristine condition, so that only minimal intervention is needed to make their wine.

First Vintage: 2011

Scale: 7 Hectares

Range: Syrah, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Pinot Blanc, Gamay, Edelzwicker, Late Harvest Edelzwicker

Cellar Door: Yes, tastings by appointment at Zeelandt Brewery 

“At Petane Wines we produce boutique wines that are both premium in quality and unique from vintage to vintage”