Region of production: Central Otago GI
Winery Location: Bannockburn, Otago
Year Established: 1991

Vineyard Holdings

32 ha

  • MacMuir Vineyard (5 ha): Central Otago GI. Pinot Noir on deep silt loam soils.
  • Elms Vineyard (15 ha): Central Otago GI. Pinot Noir on Waenga soil (alluvial schist above pockets of calcium carbonate) and Chardonnay and Riesling on Lochar soils (sandy gravel with bands of clay loam). First planted from 1992 to 1994; completed in 2001.
  • Calvert Vineyard (5 ha): Central Otago GI. Pinot Noir on deep silt loam soils. Planted in 2001.
  • Cornish Point Vineyard (8 ha): Central Otago GI. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on deep fine sandy loams. Planted in 2000.

Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages

  • Riesling Block 1 (Central Otago GI): From Block 1 of the Elms Vineyard. Fermented with indigenous yeasts. Inaugural vintage 1999.
  • Chardonnay Block 2 (Central Otago GI): From Block 2 of the Elms Vineyard. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged 16 months in used French oak. Inaugural vintage 2001.
  • Chardonnay Block 6 (Central Otago GI): From Block 6 of the Elms Vineyard. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged 16 months in used French oak. Inaugural vintage 2006.
  • Pinot Noir Calvert (Central Otago GI): Partial whole-cluster fermentation in open-top vessels. Aged 16 months in mostly used French oak. Inaugural vintage 2006.
  • Pinot Noir Cornish Point (Central Otago GI): Partial whole-cluster fermentation in open-top vessels. Aged 13 months in mostly used French oak. Inaugural vintage 2007.
  • Pinot Noir Block 3 (Central Otago GI): From Block 3 of the Elms Vineyard. Partial whole-cluster fermentation in open-top vessels. Aged 13 months in mostly used French oak. Inaugural vintage 1997.
  • Pinot Noir Block 5 (Central Otago GI): From Block 5 of the Elms Vineyard. Partial whole-cluster fermentation in open-top vessels. Aged 16 months in mostly used French oak. Inaugural vintage 1999.

Average Total Production

  • 144,000 bottles

Summary

Felton Road was founded in 1991 by Stewart Elms, a farmer of blackcurrants turned later-in-life vintner after going back to school at Lincoln University. During his studies, Elms met Blair Walter, who joined the project as winemaker in 1996. When planting the vineyard, Elms selected clones he believed best suited to the various soil types across the geologically diverse property. English businessman Nigel Greening acquired Felton Road from Elms in 2000. Greening and Walter swiftly converted the vineyards to biodynamic and organic practices, beginning in 2002 and earning Demeter certification in 2010. Felton Road remains one of New Zealand’s leading names for both biodynamics and Pinot Noir, highlighted by its portfolio of single-block bottlings.

Style & Vinification Techniques

Felton Road uses entirely estate fruit, harvested from its organic and Demeter-certified biodynamic vineyards. Fermentation relies on indigenous yeasts. Pinot Noir is made using roughly 20 to 30% whole cluster in open-top vessels, followed by a long maceration. Chardonnay wines experience complete malolactic conversion. Aging takes place primarily in used French oak barrels.

Producer Website: Felton Road