The Pinot gris in 2018 enjoyed a relatively hot summer and although there were intense periods of rainfall thanks to ex Tropical Cyclone Fehi and Gita the temperatures remained hot into the harvest months. For Pinot gris that mean ripe flavours but also pockets of Noble Botrytis that intensifies and enhances the aromatic qualities of Pinot gris, our latest pick was in the Gorse Laneway block at 39.5 brix

Pinot gris for the Exiled come the St Helena clone of Pinot gris grown on both Waiheke and Ponui Islands. Lightly crushed and pressed then settled in tank before being racked with light solids into tank for fermentation. A mixture of un-inoculated and cultured yeast ferments are used with each vineyard fermenting slowly until the desired balance of acid, tannin and sugar is reached. The wines are then chilled to below zero to stop the fermentation before blending, the blend is held at low temperatures in the cellar until bottling to retain as much of the natural carbon dioxide as possible.