Wine Composition
100% Pinot Gris
Winemakers Comments
The 2017 Estate Pinot Gris is a delicious wine being relatively light in alcohol with Nashi pear, fresh Mango and citrus zest aromas accompanied by hints of fresh mint. The palate is fresh and linear with the residual sugar balanced by the crisp acidity perfect for summer drinking or as an aperitif. texture from the barrel influence and ripeTechnical Analysis
Alcohol Percentage
11.1%
TA
8.5 g/l
pH
3.24
RS
18 g/l
Cellar Techniques
Man O’ War Estate Pinot Gris is grown on Ponui Island on a sheltered hillside vineyard overlooking the cool waters of the Waiheke channel. Harvest is dictated by the tide providing access to the shores of Ponui Island with picking completed across two days in mid-march.
The fruit is transported back to the winery across the Waiheke channel by barge before pressing and settling in the tank before being racked clean. The majority of the fruit is fermented in stainless steel tanks with a small proportion ‘wild’ fermented in seasoned French oak barrels. When the desired balance of sugar, acid, and tannin is achived the fermentation is arrested by chilling the fermenting wines to below zero. The wine is then held in the cellar at a cold temperature to retain as much natural carbon dioxide left over from the fermentation as possible to provide a light spritz in the wine.
Winemaker - Duncan McTavish
Winery
The Man O’ War story begins with a special piece of land rich in history. Located at the eastern end of Waiheke Island, Man O’ War is a stunning array of coastal hillsides with high cliffs and pristine beaches forming a ruggedly beautiful coastline.
It was along this coastline that Captain James Cook came to anchor during his first voyage around the islands of New Zealand in 1769. Upon sighting the ancient stands of magnificent Kauri trees ashore, Cook noted in his journals that they would make ideal masts for the Man O’ War warships of the Royal Navy. Thus the name Man O’ War was bestowed upon this unique land.