Take a journey through Central Otago’s unique terroir at Ayrburn, Queenstown’s world-class wine destination. Since its launch in December 2023, Queenstown’s Ayrburn is fast establishing itself as a world-class wine destination, with a curated range of wines available exclusively for tastings across their venues showcasing the diversity of the Central Otago sub-region and its unique terroir.
Working with Ayrburn Wines since its conception, Master of Wine Sophie Parker-Thomson and international winemaking consultant Matt Thomson have been integral to the curation and development of Ayrburn’s wine range, with input from grape to glass, with Ayrburn’s Winemaker, Jody Pagey, hand-crafting the range to embody the whimsy, vibrancy and eccentricity of the revitalised Ayrburn.
Ayrburn’s Latest Releases
Ayrburn’s wines utilise grapes primarily harvested from vineyards across Central Otago, encompassing the style of cool climate wines the South Island is renowned for. Many wines in the range are made from single vineyard grapes, each specifically sourced for the story Ayrburn seeks for each wine to tell. The wines have been quickly established as ‘best in show’, having been awarded a Double Gold for their Ten Acre 2022 wine, three Gold Awards at the New Zealand International Wine Show in the last two years, along with a number of Silver and Bronze awards.
2024 will see the inaugural release of Ayrburn’s Billy’s Chardonnay, a crisp and focused wine that bears the name of the farm’s founder, William Paterson. Made in a unoaked style the wine is hand harvested from the Gibbston Valley and wild fermented in both French oak barrels and stainless steel vats to retain a sleek mineral profile and precise fresh fruit notes. Only 2,466 bottles have been produced in this limited release.
Sophie Parker-Thomson comments, “Jody and the winery team have poured huge effort into these new releases, and it has been a pleasure for us to work alongside him to deliver this distinctive array of wines with quality at their core,”
“I’m excited to see them being enjoyed by diners in the many awe-inspiring venues at Ayrburn, accompanied of course by Richard’s outstanding food. It’s rewarding to see these aspects coalescing and the vision of Ayrburn as a must-do food and wine destination taking shape.”
Ayrburn guests can enjoy freshly sourced Bluff oysters paired with Ayrburn bubbles, or succulent lamb from Royalburn Station with Ayrburn’s silky Central Otago Pinot Noir, and in coming months, koura caught onsite with fresh lemon herb butter and a bottle of Ayrburn’s signature Chardonnay.
Ayrburn’s Latest Harvest and a Look to Future Releases
Ayrburn’s Winemaker, Jody Pagey reports that the 2024 harvest sees a return to a more classic Central Otago season with both sunshine and rain in line with the long term averages, and a cooler but settled March and April meant the fruit was picked in great condition.
“Flavour development and acidity lagging behind sugar levels meant that some parcels were picked at higher brix to try an intensify the flavour and encourage some acid degradation. This should lead to wines with ample mouthfeel, precise naturally acidity and a good depth of flavour.”
Pagey continues, “During ferment the Pinot Noirs are showing impressive tannin early and those with a whole bunch component seem to be the most attractive. The whites are showing beautiful early season stone fruit characters and are looking to be lithe with great finesse and brightness.”
About Ayrburn Wine
Developed to be a unique food and drink destination where old meets new, Ayrburn’s wine range has been designed to embody the passion for fine food and experience that has captivated previous generations of the Farm. In the pursuit of excellence, Ayrburn’s dedicated team have meticulously crafted a collection of wines to pair perfectly with Ayrburn’s menus featuring locally-sourced produce by Executive Chef Richard Highnam, and reflective of the quality, depth and history of Ayrburn Farm’s agricultural past and forms a ‘must taste’ experience.
Raised in the wine regions of Gisborne and Central Otago, winemaking and hospitality were endemic to Sophie’s upbringing, and she became a Master of Wine in 2021, one of only 416 worldwide. Matt also grew up in Central Otago and is one of New Zealand’s most successful and well-respected international winemaking consultants.
Viticulturist Gary Crabbe has taken on the task of establishing the Ayrburn vineyard, with a focus on producing fruit for high quality, traditional method sparkling wine. Gary began transplanting thousands of Central Otago legacy vines in September and October of 2023, allowing them to continue delivering the complexity and quality that only old vines can deliver. Ayrburn’s preservationist endeavours align with the precinct’s approach to restoration and revitalisation. The risk has paid off, with the vines adapting well to their new home and the first crop expected to be harvested in 2025 for a 2027 launch.
Ayrburn’s range of wines is available across all the precinct’s venues, including guided wine tastings at The Barrel Room and wine flights at The Manure Room. At each venue, a menu of locally sourced produce has been developed to pair exquisitely with each wine in the range for the ultimate experience for food and wine lovers.
Wine connoisseurs are encouraged to join Ayrburn’s wine club, with benefits including, carefully selected curation of wines delivered each quarter & exclusive benefits and privileges including member-only events, tastings and vineyard tours
The memories and stories of Ayrburn can also be taken home to savour later through Ayrburn’s cellar door, or purchased online, with shipping available both locally and internationally.
For more information visit: https://ayrburn.com
JB Reviews Three Wines From Ayrburn
Ayrburn Chardonnay 2023 Central Otago NZ
Shiny mid-golden coloured wine, medium viscosity. In the nose, ripe peach & nectarine aromas, mixed spice & vanilla-biscuit notes follow. Mid weighted creamy, buttery palate with flavours of juicy stone-fruit & sweet apple, integrated ‘green apple’ acidity, nutty spice notes. Concentrated & juicy long finish. Hand picked, wild & barrel ferment, malo, oak aged. 13.5% RRP:$65.00
Ayrburn Billy’s Chardonnay 2023 Central Otago NZ
Bright clear mid-gold to yellow in colour, medium viscosity. In the nose, fresh citrus & white stone-fruit aromas, a little spice & nutty notes follow. On the palate, white stone-fruit & apricot flavours, toasted nuts, a crisp lemony – grape-fruity acid backbone, subtle hints of minerality & nutty oak, intense long dry finish. A complex, elegant Chardonnay with finesse. 13.5% RRP:$80.00
Ayrburn Ten Acre Pinot Noir 2022 Central Otago NZ
Deep translucent cherry to ruby red in colour, paler at the rim. Inviting & fragrant nose of dark plum, cherry & red berry aromas, warm mixed spices & some wee choccy notes. On the palate, it’s really fruit driven, with juicy plum, cherry & red berry flavours, fine powdery tannins & bright acidity all well integrated with fine toasty oak. Beautifully textured, with a long bone dry & concentrated fruit finish. Excellent. Double Gold at the 2023 NZIWS. 14.3% RRP: $90.00
If you would like JB to review and promote your wines visit: https://nzwinedirectory.co.nz/about/submit-wine-for-review/