Variety:       100% Pinot Gris       Clone: Berry Smith 2/21, 2/15

Rootstock: 3309, 101-14

Region:         ‘Trig Hill’ & ‘Chinamans Terrace’ vineyards in Bendigo, Central Otago

Vintage:      The vintage of 2007, was perfect for Pinot Gris. A very uniformed fruit set over our flowering period, meant that very little fruit thinning was needed and we allowed the vines to crop naturally at 4 tonne / ha. The season’s generous start extended on to post harvest and our viticulturist is proud that this is some of the best Pinot Gris fruit that he has ever had the chance to grow.

Philosophy:  The wines of the van Asch family reflect our heritage & place within the grape growing areas of Central Otago. Our approach to wine making is simple to portray the fruit and its terroir. It is with pride and enjoyment we have crafted this reflection of our land.

Winemaking:  Grapes from each of our two Bendigo vineyards were picked separately on the basis of flavour ripeness and juice texture.  After minimal juice settling, the separate parcels were warm fermented in order to express the character of each site. The same selected yeast was used for both parcels. When the ferments were completed, the wines were left to mature on full fermentation lees before being blended, fined & filtered prior to bottling.

Harvest Method: Hand harvested.

Tasting Notes:  Evocative of sundrenched spicy pears & apple blossom, the nose of this wine exudes ripe juicy aromas.  Dry in style yet generous in fruit weight, the mouth filling flavours of ginger and apple pie with vanilla ice cream make this wine a treat.

Food Match:      Roasted kumara, yam, watercress & rocket salad with tart apple glaze

Cellaring:           Recommended 4 years.

Technical:         14.0% alc,              pH 3.21,                    TA 6.6 g/l,                 RS 6.0 g/l

Bottling Date:   6 August 2007

Winemaker:      Theo Coles