| Region of production: | Central Otago GI |
| Winery Location: | Queenstown, Otago |
| Year Established: | 1983 |
Vineyard Holdings
- Home Block Vineyard: Central Otago GI. Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer on schist. First planted in 1983.
- School House Vineyard: Central Otago GI. Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris on schist. First planted in 2003.
- China Terrace Vineyard: Central Otago GI. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on loess and sand over schist. First planted in 2001.
- Ardgour Vineyard: Central Otago GI. Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris on loess and sand over alluvial gravel. First planted in 2002.
- Red Shed Vineyard: Central Otago GI. Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, and Riesling on loess and sand over alluvial gravel. First planted in 1999.
Top Wines Produced
- Riesling Red Shed (Central Otago GI): Whole-bunch pressed with only free-run juice used. Fermented using indigenous yeasts.
- Riesling Le Maitre (Central Otago GI): Harvested from the oldest Riesling vines in the Home Block Vineyard.
- Chardonnay China Terraces 95 (Central Otago GI): Vinified from the B95 clone of Chardonnay.
- Pinot Noir Le Maitre (Central Otago GI): Harvested from the oldest Pinot Noir vines in the Home Block Vineyard.
- Pinot Noir China Terraces (Central Otago GI): Fermented with 35% whole clusters. Aged 11 months in barrel, 30% new.
- Pinot Noir School House (Central Otago GI)
Average Total Production
- N/A
Summary
Among the appellation’s earliest wineries, Gibbston Valley was first established in 1983 when Alan Brady, an Irish journalist, planted grapes in Gibbston, today an unofficial subzone of Central Otago. At the time, Central Otago was widely believed to be too marginal for successful viticulture. Today, however, the majority of the winery’s holdings are further north, in the warmer Bendigo area. Gibbston Valley has a tasting room and high-end restaurant that have contributed to wine tourism in the region. The brand also served as one of the earliest advocates of the screwcap in New Zealand, foregoing corks in 2001. Winemaker Christopher Keys leads the production team today.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Gibbston Valley practices organic viticulture on its original Home Block Vineyard, which achieved certification in 2014. The winery has been an advocate of screwcaps since 2001. Gibbston Valley bottles several quality tiers; the highest is the single vineyard series.
Producer Website: Gibbston Valley Winery