| Region of production: | Nelson GI |
| Winery Location: | Upper Moutere, Nelson |
| Year Established: | 1978 |
Vineyard Holdings
- Home Block (5.5 ha): Nelson GI. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir on Moutere clay gravel. Planted in 1978.
- Tom’s Block (4.5 ha): Nelson GI. Pinot Noir on Moutere clay gravel with a more fertile topsoil. Planted in 1999.
- Rosie’s Block (8 ha): Nelson GI. Chardonnay, Albariño, and Riesling on Moutere clay gravel. Planted in 1999.
- Flaxmore Vineyard (6 ha): Nelson GI. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir on Moutere clay gravel. Planted in 2008.
- Haycock Road Block (5 ha): Nelson GI. Sauvignon Blanc on alluvial soils. Planted in 2006.
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Moutere Chardonnay (Nelson GI): Fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels, around 10% new. Completes full malolactic fermentation. Aged 16 months on lees. Inaugural vintage 1981.
- Rosie’s Block Chardonnay (Nelson GI): Fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels, around 15% new. Completes full malolactic fermentation. Formerly labeled Village Chardonnay. Inaugural vintage 1995.
- Twenty Five Rows Chardonnay (Nelson GI): Fermented in stainless steel. Completes full malolactic fermentation. Inaugural vintage 2011.
- Moutere Pinot Noir (Nelson GI): Fermented with indigenous yeasts in open-top vats. Aged in French oak barrels, 15% new. Inaugural vintage 1981.
- Tom’s Block Pinot Noir (Nelson GI): Fermented with indigenous yeasts in open-top vats. Aged in French oak barrels, approximately 20% new. Formerly labeled Village Pinot Noir. Inaugural vintage 1995.
Average Total Production
- 120,000 – 144,000 bottles
Summary
Animal behaviorist Tim Finn and journalist Judy Finn first planted grapes in Upper Moutere in 1978, at the tail end of the back-to-the-land movement. While the winery has amassed a following for its Burgundian varieties and for Sauvignon Blanc, Neudorf has experimented with several grapes, including unsuccessful attempts with Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, and Müller-Thurgau. Albariño, Riesling, and Pinot Gris, however, are still bottled today. Winemaker Todd Stevens leads the production team. All Neudorf vineyards are either certified organic or in the process of conversion.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Neudorf is most widely associated with Chardonnay, for which the estate favors the Mendoza clone for its high extract and acidity. Top wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts, and Chardonnay goes through full malolactic conversion. The influence of new oak is minimal across the range.
Producer Website: Neudorf Vineyards