Rippon "Mature Vine" Pinot Noir '17

Rippon Estate, nestled on the shores of Lake Wanaka in Central Otago, New Zealand, is renowned for its breathtaking setting as well as its distinct microclimate. The combination of glacial soils and a unique mesoclimate creates an ideal environment for producing Pinot Noir of unparalleled finesse. 

The Rippon story begins in 1975 when Rolfe Mills, a third-generation farmer, began planting a small amount of Vitis vinifera as a test. By 1982, Rolfe and his wife, Lois, believing in the potential of the site, began to plant further with the idea of producing a top-quality Pinot Noir. The first vintage of Rippon Pinot Noir was 1989, which was quickly noted by wine professionals around New Zealand and throughout the world. In 2003 Nick Mills joined the family business, after going to school at the Lycée Viticole in Burgundy, as well as working with Burgundy icons Nicholas Potel of Pousse d’Or, and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. 

His experiences in Burgundy taught him to question everything and has led him to make wine according to what the material provides. There are no recipes at Rippon, but make no mistake—the key to quality starts in the vineyard. The family has always farmed organically but also works the entire property with biodynamic principles.  

Several wines are made at Rippon, including white wines, but the heart of Rippon is Pinot Noir. The flagship wine of Rippon is the “Mature Vine” Pinot Noir, a wine capable of aging and showcasing the nuances of the Wanaka terroir. 

Gorgeous aromas of wild strawberry, tart cherry, porcini, and freshly cracked white pepper. Beautifully balanced on the palate, with the freshness you expect from a Rippon wine, alongside a repetition of red fruit flavors and minerality. A world-class Pinot Noir!