Prophet's Rock Home Pinot Noir 2022

From the dramatic north-facing slopes of Chinaman’s Terrace in Bendigo, the Prophet’s Rock Home Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 is a wine of purity, depth and striking minerality. Planted in 1999/2000 at 325–400m elevation, this site is layered with clay, schist, quartz and a unique seam of pedogenic lime, formed by glacial activity over 400,000 years ago. The result is a terroir unlike any other in Central Otago—giving the wine its hallmark aromatic lift, chalky tannins and mineral drive.

Low yields of just 35hl/ha were hand-harvested, destemmed, and wild fermented, with a high proportion of whole berries and only a single pigeage across the entire vintage. The wine matured for 17 months in French oak (30% new) before bottling unfined and unfiltered—allowing full site expression.

Tasting Note
Layers of dark cherry, plum, and wild strawberry intertwine with dried citrus rind, mountain herbs, violets, olive tapenade and powdered schist. The palate flows with spiced plum and cherry fruits, chalky tannins, and a savoury mineral edge. Complex, balanced, and very long on the finish.

Small-Batch Detail

• Region: Bendigo, Central Otago

• Vineyard: Home Vineyard, Chinaman’s Terrace

• Elevation: 325–400m | North-west aspect

• Soils: Clay, schist, quartz & pedogenic lime (glacially formed)

• Yields: 35hl/ha

• Fermentation: High proportion of whole berries, wild yeast, one pigeage only

• Maturation: 17 months in French oak (30% new)

• Alcohol: ~13.5%

• Farming: Organic principles

• Bottling: Unfined, unfiltered

• Cellaring: 2025–2038

Expert Reviews
⭐ 96 Points – Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion

“Dark cherry and plummy fruit with wild strawberry, citrus rind, herbs, dark chocolate nibs, tapenade, violets and powdered schist. Complex and long with perfect interplay of fruit, chalky tannin and mineral drive.”

⭐ 97 Points – James Suckling

“Dried strawberries, orange peel, terra-cotta, dried leaves. Full, very layered with creamy, fine tannins that go on for minutes. Depth, tension, and a beautifully velvety finish.”

⭐ 96 Points – Emma Jenkins MW, Decanter

“Restrained nose with cherries, spices, earth and soy. Savoury palate with plenty of tannin, subtle fruit and umami-rich depth. Long, spicy and compact with great definition.”

Fine Pinot Note
The 2022 Home Vineyard Pinot Noir is a quintessential expression of Prophet’s Rock: perfumed, savoury and profoundly mineral. A wine that speaks of ancient soils and meticulous craftsmanship—best paired with venison, duck confit, or porcini risotto.

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".