Kōtātā Waipara Pinot Gris 2026 (Export Wine)

Description

Dry, Pear, Spice

Nashi pear, quince and honeysuckle, with a twist of citrus peel. The palate is textural and gently spiced — poached pear and white nectarine over a fine mineral line, finishing dry, long and softly perfumed.

The Kōtātā, a nationally endangered wetland bird, is more often heard than seen, its haunting call echoing through the reeds as its habitat disappears. We’ve chosen the Kōtātā as our symbol of quiet strength and resilience. In partnership with Forest & Bird, we’re donating 1% of all sales to help protect this extraordinary species. A small way to give back to the land that shapes our wine and help the Kōtātā’s song carry on for generations.

Waipara has one of the longest growing seasons in New Zealand. Sheltered from the west by the Teviotdale hills and moderated by the coast, it ripens slowly through warm days and cool, settled autumn nights. 2026 ran early — the earliest harvest on record for the country — with a dry February and March finishing the fruit cleanly on the vine. Whole-bunch pressed, cool-fermented in stainless steel and left on light lees, the wine keeps its aromatic lift and builds texture without losing the line of acidity the region is known for.