| Region of production: | Waipara Valley GI |
| Winery Location: | Glasnevin, Canterbury |
| Year Established: | 1985 |
Vineyard Holdings
65 ha
- Home Vineyard (45 ha): Waipara Valley GI. Planted in 1985 and largely ungrafted.
- Main Divide Tehau Vineyard (20 ha): Waipara Valley GI. Planted in 2008.
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Sauvignon Sémillon (Waipara Valley GI): 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon fermented separately, with the Sauvignon Blanc primarily in stainless steel and the Sémillon in oak. Aged on lees for 10 months before blending. Inaugural vintage 1991.
- Bel Canto Dry Riesling (Waipara Valley GI): Harvested with some botrytis, but fermented near dryness, with about five grams per liter of residual sugar. Inaugural vintage 2006.
- Virtuoso Chardonnay (Waipara Valley GI): Fermented in French oak puncheons, 30% new. Undergoes complete malolactic conversion. Aged on lees for 12 months. Inaugural vintage 2005.
- Prima Donna Pinot Noir (Waipara Valley GI): Approximately one-third whole-cluster fermentation. Aged in French barriques, 30% new. Inaugural vintage 1996.
- Maestro Merlot Malbec (Waipara Valley GI): 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet, and 10% Malbec. Fermented in stainless steel. Aged in French barriques, 50% new, for two years. Inaugural vintage 1994.
- Finale Noble Sémillon Sauvignon (Waipara Valley GI): Fully botrytized sweet wine. Fermented and aged in new French barriques. Only vinified in select years. Inaugural vintage 1997.
Average Total Production
- N/A
Summary
Neurosurgeon Ivan Donaldson and Christine Donaldson began growing grapes as hobbyists in Christchurch. Upon realizing that Christchurch didn’t present optimal conditions for viticulture, they turned to North Canterbury in the Waipara Valley as one of the area’s pioneering growers. They founded Pegasus Bay in 1985, and today, their four sons have joined the operation, with their eldest, Matthew, serving as winemaker. Pegasus Bay has found success with a broad spectrum of grapes, including Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Malbec. Many of the wines are named after operatic terms, due to Christine’s love of the genre. The Donaldson family owns a second, lower-priced label, Main Divide, also in the Waipara Valley.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Pegasus Bay is certified through Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand and makes an effort to reduce yields. The winery is revered for its structured wines with demonstrated aging capacity. All wines complete malolactic fermentation.
Producer Website: Pegasus Bay