• French oak
• Cherry & red plum
• Violet & nut meg
• Silky texture

A name synonymous with leadership in wine, Sir George Fistonich has a history of success but has always operated with an eye on the future. In 2021 Sir George, not content with retiring, founded Fistonich Family Vineyards to continue his love of viticulture, winemaking and developing future talent. 

These wines are a selection of the first wines released under Fistonich Family Vineyards.

"Sweetly ripe and elegantly perfumed, the bouquet shows red plum, rich floral, olive and nutmeg aromas, leading to a beautifully rounded palate offering bright fruit flavours with silky texture, finishing long and soothing. Beautifully harmonious and balanced with finesse and lovely fruit purity. At its best: now to 2029" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jun 2023

This wine was made with the idea of an early release without sacrificing complexity. With its delicate and pretty character, this light Syrah Viognier showcases enticing notes of red cherries, violets, and a touch of white pepper. Its silky tannins and vibrant acidity create a smooth and elegant mouthfeel.

Like all vineyards on the Gimblett Gravels, the vines sit on free draining soils – dubbed Omahu soils - left over from the 1867 flooding of the Ngaruroro River. The wines produced from this area are rich in complexity and flavours.  The Cornerstone vineyard is the jewel in the crown (well we think so) producing wines of such exquisite structure and longevity.

2022 was a complicated vintage therefore winemakers and viticulturists drew from their years of experience working closely with one another, watching the weather forecasts continuously throughout the day,  to ensure picking scheduling was exact, maximising the sun and balancing with the fruit ripening.

The Viognier was hand-picked, whole bunch pressed and fermented in tank until 3 Brix when it was moved into two French barriques to finish off its fermentation and mature until the following year before the blend. The Syrah and Malbec portions were machine harvested and fermented in separate vessels however only the Malbec portion remained on skins post ferment. The Syrah was pressed off its skins while there was still a light cap, to ensure gentle tannins were extracted – contributing to the suppleness and approachability of this wine.

Diverging from the straight and narrow, Obliix wines are made when the winemaker decides to take the road less travelled. The end result is delicious and joyful wines.

Food Pairing: Pair this beauty with grilled salmon or roasted duck for a delightful experience. To be enjoyed immediately and for several years, this wine will hold its own amongst older relatives.