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This is the first release of this wine, only 560 bottles produced.
In the early 1980s, as the first vines were being planted, Clive was offered some Sangiovese cuttings by Enzo Bettio, who established Delmain Importers in Auckland.
Along with some Nebbiolo, Clive planted these vines in the little block beside our Ata Rangi wine shop. It was thought that this protected site, together with piles of river stones to collect and retain the heat, would hopefully allow these classic Italian varieties to ripen.But after about 10 years of persistence, it was not to be. Syrah was top-grafted onto some of the vines, while others were removed to make way for some new Syrah and Pinot Noir plants. The site, in fact, turned out to be too warm for Pinot Noir, which ripened a good two weeks before our other plots, and eventually the whole block was turned over to Syrah.
This block is very special to Clive and is still affectionately called the Italian Block.
This is the first release of this wine, only 560 bottles produced.
In the early 1980s, as the first vines were being planted, Clive was offered some Sangiovese cuttings by Enzo Bettio, who established Delmain Importers in Auckland.
Along with some Nebbiolo, Clive planted these vines in the little block beside our Ata Rangi wine shop. It was thought that this protected site, together with piles of river stones to collect and retain the heat, would hopefully allow these classic Italian varieties to ripen.But after about 10 years of persistence, it was not to be. Syrah was top-grafted onto some of the vines, while others were removed to make way for some new Syrah and Pinot Noir plants. The site, in fact, turned out to be too warm for Pinot Noir, which ripened a good two weeks before our other plots, and eventually the whole block was turned over to Syrah.
This block is very special to Clive and is still affectionately called the Italian Block.
