After a great deal of toil clearing what was once an orchard growing on this gentle north facing slope of the Bronte Peninsula overlooking the Waimea Estuary. In 1995 Patrick planted the Rimu Grove home vineyard, with a mix of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Nelson has some of New Zealand’s highest sunshine hours and this detail, combined with a temperate maritime microclimate and the ancient glacial gravels known as the Moutere Clays, all contribute to make some of the most elegant and articulate wines in New Zealand.
Patrick combines a measured hands-on winemaking approach with a ‘non-interference’ ethos, reverently responding to each parcel. With an operation as compact as Rimu Grove, Patrick can implement diligent quality control at every stage along with knowing when to step back and let the wine evolve on its own. Art and science, is a tightrope balancing act which when executed correctly allows these wines to develop a unique typicity.
An important detail to these articulate wines crafted by Patrick, the grapes are selectively hand-picked before diligent vinification, with several wines fermented in small open-top fermentation vats and the silky smooth Pinot Noir's regularly hand-plunged. Then the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir's are transferred into traditional French oak barrels for maturation and character development before tasting, blending and bottled, with the red's being unfined and unfiltered.
*(The following are a few bright notes and insights, and most importantly, these very appealing wines are ready to sip, savour & share, plus can also age).