Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2024

The Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2024 is one of Central Otago’s most polished and precise vineyard expressions. Sourced from the Calvert Vineyard, located just one kilometre east of Felton Road’s Elms estate, this release captures the hallmark elegance of the site’s deep heavy silt soils with a fine dusting of loess topsoil.

Planted and farmed to certified organic and biodynamic (BioGro & Demeter) standards, Calvert has become one of Bannockburn’s benchmark single vineyards. Meticulous vineyard management—shoot thinning, canopy positioning, leaf plucking, and hand harvesting—ensures balanced fruit ripening and natural concentration. Cover crops between rows encourage biodiversity and vine equilibrium, underscoring Felton Road’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and terroir authenticity.

Vintage 2024
A cool, even growing season followed a wet September, with warm, dry conditions through December promoting a perfect fruit set. Persistent dryness across January and February produced small berries with elevated phenolic concentration, while cool nights in March preserved vibrancy and freshness. The fruit was hand-picked between 19 March and 9 April 2024, in pristine condition and balanced acidity.

Winemaking
The fruit was gently destemmed using gravity flow, with 25% whole clusters retained for aromatic complexity. Following a 10-day cold soak, the must fermented with indigenous yeasts, undergoing hand punch-downs twice daily over a total 25–28 days on skins. After pressing, the wine was transferred by gravity to the underground cellars for 16 months in French oak (20% new). It was bottled unfined and unfiltered in late August 2025, preserving purity and texture.

Tasting Note
Subtlety and precision define this wine. Earthy dark cherry and plum aromas expand gradually into delicate rose and violet florals. The palate is graphite-textured and mineral, building quietly towards a rich, leather-bound cocoa finish. The result is an urbane and contemplative expression of Bannockburn—complex, elegant, and quietly powerful.

Small-Batch Detail

• Region: Bannockburn, Central Otago

• Vineyard: Calvert (planted 1999)

• Viticulture: Certified Organic & Biodynamic (BioGro & Demeter)

• Soil: Deep heavy silts, thin loess topsoil

• Fermentation: 25% whole cluster, 10-day cold soak, wild yeast

• Maceration: 25–28 days on skins

• Oak Maturation: 16 months in French oak (20% new)

• Fining/Filtration: None

• Alcohol: 13.5%

• Cellaring: Drink 2026–2040

Fine Pinot Note
A masterclass in restraint and detail. The 2024 Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir marries depth with finesse—structured, savoury, and mineral, yet wrapped in the silken tannins that define Bannockburn’s finest vineyards. Perfect with wild duck, mushroom pappardelle, or roasted beetroot and goat cheese tart.

Central Otago, New Zealand

(Image source from Misha's vineyard, Central Otago)

Central Otago has quickly established itself as ground zero for Pinot Noir in New Zealand-in the words of Jancis Robinson, "many believe this is where the Pinot grail is to be found".