Joseph Ryan - Pinot Gris 

Joseph Ryan Vineyards and Wines- Gladstone, New Zealand

History

Joseph Ryan is a family-owned boutique vineyard in the heart of the Wairarapa valley.

The vineyard shares a picturesque stony river terrace with a dozen other young vineyards in an area known as Gladstone, one hundred kilometres north east of New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington.

Established in 2001 the vineyard is planted in Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Viognier grapes. These are carefully tended and harvested to produce high quality single vineyard, single variety wines.

Vineyard 

Set along the Ruamahunga river, the vineyard lies at the foot of the rolling Maungaraki hills, and looks toward the beautiful smoky Tararua Mountain range to the west.

The first vines were planted in 2001 with the varieties of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Viognier chosen for their suitability to the climate and terroir. The vineyard is sited on the valley floor on what was once a river bed and now provides a free draining stony loam. It is a low rainfall area with hot summers and cool winters, warm days and cool nights… perfect for Pinot Noir in particular.

The Wairarapa experiences four distinct seasons in the year which break up the vineyard calendar.

Pinot Gris

Bright Clarity, generous lemon with russet tints.

Varietal characteristics of pear, ginger and honey suckle blossom shines over a mineral apple acidity and a spicy base.  Balanced alcohol rounds an easy drinking food wine.

Suitable with spicy dishes, seafood or Asian cuisine, or try with a fruit compote.

Ripe cherries, lifted perfume, Alcohol % (vol/vol)  14.5%

Acid (g /L)   5.6

Residual Sugar (g/L)  3.6

Picking Date   11-13 April