Dunnolly Parish Family Estate Wines is a family owned and operated business located in the Waipara Valley, North Canterbury. The Vineyard was established in 1995 by Peter and Felicity Parish who have nurtured their vines to meet sustainable viticultural standards. Each vintage has been monitored for the production of quality fruit, beneficial land care measures and optimum fruit for wine processing. The wines are made by Peter and Felicity’s son Matt Parish and daughter Nicky Parish who are both accomplished wine makers.
Peter Parish popped in for a visit recently to give me some background history about the family estate and about what they are achieving up in Waipara – it was great to meet Peter and get to know a little more about the family, the vineyard and the wines. Peter left me a bottle of their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to try – the Pinot had been recently bottled and the case he had in the car had no labels, hence the hand-made label by me lol! I enjoyed both wines and here are my thoughts about both the wines…
Dunnolly Estate Parish Family Estate Chardonnay Waipara NZ 2011
The grapes were harvested at night, lightly pressed, batch fermented in stainless steel and French oak barriques then aged on the lees for 10 months before the best portions were reserved and blended. It was bright lemon/gold in the glass, with a sweet creamy dessert nose of tropical fruit, guava and stone-fruit. On the palate there was great depth of fruit flavours, subtle oak texture with some zesty fruit acidity present, finishing long – nice refreshing wine without the big buttery malo characters of some Chardonnays.
14.5% a/v, 83/100 Online Price: $243.84 per case of 12 bottles ($20.32 bottle)
Dunnolly Estate Parish Family Estate Pinot Noir Waipara NZ 2011
Again they harvested the grapes at night to preserve the quality and integrity of the wine, aged in French oak barriques for 10 months before the best portions were reserved and blended to make this lovely Waipara Pinot: medium indigo in the glass with spice, black cherry & chocolate/coffee notes on the nose, a really delicious palate. It’s layered and textured with lush plum & cherry fruit sweetness balanced with some earthy/savoury highlights, lingering finish.
14.5% a/v, 84/100 Online Price: $411.70 per case of 12 bottles ($37.09 bottle)
To find out more and purchase wine online (join the wine club for savings & speial deals) visit the Dunnolly Parish Family Estate Website, like their Facebook Page and follow them on Twitter too…