Petane Wines - Viognier Hawke's Bay 2021 - Silt Survivor

The Drinking

Bright straw in colour, 100% barrel fermented (10 months). This is a delicate, floral viognier, with aromas of orange blossom leading to Kashmir spice, musk and apricot on the palate.

The Growing

2020 was another hot dry vintage with little in the way of rain, combine this with our dry farming and spray free under-vine practices, only relying on sheep over winter to control weeds and the occasional weed whacking with the scrub cutter, the vines struggled a wee bit and this resulted in a very low yield (0.6 T) from our single clone (642) vines, tight small concentrated bunches.

The Making

Hand-picked and WBP the juice was settled out overnight then the following afternoon racked into two seasoned French 'Saury' Immersion barrels, the ferment kicked off after a few days and continued on for over a month, occasional lees stirring and then left to mature for 10 months prior to filtering and bottling.

Cameron Douglas Review: 90 Points

Aromas of white fleshed fruits, some honeysuckle and a touch of spice. There's a light white soil dust note layering a little intrigue and complexity. Crisp, refreshing and dry on the palate. As the wine opens up over a few minutes flavours of white apricot and citrus begin to emerge. Balanced and ready to drink from day of purchase through 2023. Food pairing recommended.

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”