Pinot Blanc 2022

Blackenbrook

Pinot Blanc 2022

This fruit-forward and floral aromatic is similar but deliciously different from the grape's close cousin Pinot Gris.

A wonderfully accessible example of a variety that is rare in New Zealand, this is definitely a must-try wine.


$25.00 NZD

Tasting Notes

Our Pinot Blanc 2021 is packed with white peach, jasmine and spice flavours. It’s multi-layered with an incredible texture beautifully complemented by a touch of sweetness and a juicy acidity.

Read Winemaker’s Notes
Two vibrant green bunches of Pinot Blanc just before harvest. Around the grapes there are some wooden canes and green leaves. In the background green grass and the next row of vines can be seen with white bird netting draped over it.

Only 11 hectares in New Zealand

Pinot Blanc loves our gravelly Moutere clay soil - just like its close relatives Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. Right from the inaugural vintage 2019 this wine attracted lots of positive attention and brought home two Trophy medals for its two first vintages.

Only 11 hectares of this variety are planted in our country and nearly all of these grapes are blended into other white varietals or matured in oak, which brings the texture and flavour closer to a Chardonnay.

But Pinot Blanc is aromatic and fruit-driven all on its own. We are making the wine in a way that allows the varietal flavours to shine by maturing it in stainless steel rather than oak. This way the grape expresses its pure style from our Nelson vineyard.

In terms of flavour, our Pinot Blanc sits right in the middle between the floral Gewürztraminer and the nutty Pinot Gris. It’s crisp and floral and aromatic.

Owners Daniel and Ursula Schwarzenbach with son Thomas walking through their vineyard while chatting. The leaves are bright green and in the background there are some pine trees.

Reviews

92/100 Cameron Douglas MS, camdouglasms.com

Aromas and flavours of sweet citrus and green pears, apples and mandarin. There’s a fine satin texture with core fruit flavours that mirror the bouquet, a contrasting acid line and generous plush mouthfeel. Overall a balanced well made wine with a lovely texture and finish. Best drinking from 2023 through 2029.

90/100 Bob Campbell MW, therealreview.com

Off-dry Pinot Blanc with cream, vanilla pod, stewed apple, and subtle spice/clove characters. A little sweetness helps amplify the flavours and create a smoother texture. Attractive wine from a challenging vintage.

Wine & dine

Try our Pinot Blanc with this beautiful goat cheese bavarois on a salad of pear and micro-greens – a truly outstanding combination.

But it will just as happily partner with mouth-watering crayfish from Kaikōura, a scrumptious pumpkin risotto or grilled asparagus.

Ursula Schwarzenbach with a tray of muffins out in the vineyard. She is wearing shorts, t-shirt and a facemask. On the right side some pickers are having their morning tea. The sky is blue.

The season

It started off like a dream: a warm spring, mild conditions for flowering and a strong fruit set, lots of blue skies and just enough rainfall to keep the vineyard happy and working at its best.

But 70mm of rain followed by two weeks of warm, humid weather in February had us worried about our crop. The weather recovered, but the grapes were now fragile and wouldn’t survive another big rain event.

And where would we find pickers? Covid 19 was raging and the borders closed. But the community support was absolutely amazing with lots of people offering their help. We ended up bringing in a beautiful harvest with the best picking team ever – such a relief!