This month we are visiting Q Wine, situated in the Waitaki wine region. In Waitaki, the vineyards stretch along a 75 kilometre strip, from the limestone escarpments above the village of Duntroon, up the south bank of the Waitaki River and inland to the township of Omarama. Read on for the Q Wine Story…
THE PEOPLE
Back in 2003, wine-enthusiast Jules Stephan obtained a block of land in the Waitaki Valley. He was partnered by Jules Matthews, long time friend and colleague who has a passion for creating memorable wine experiences.
Backgrounds in banking, investment and business development might seem light years away from wine, but the drive to achieve and a true love for wine meant we knew our own wine could be out-of-this-world. So together, Jules and Jules started Q WINE.
The dream was to produce exceptional wine for the sheer love of it!
“Q Simply Stands For Quality – By The Case – Delivered To Your Door“
THE PLACE
Waitaki Valley, North Otago is a winemakers dream. Unique limestone soils, a dry semi-maritime climate and long growing season make this region one of the most special places in New Zealand to grow grapes.
It imparts exceptional flavours that make for taut, edgy and powerful wines. From Queenstown and over the Lindis Pass you arrive in pristine country characterised by gorgeous valleys, braided rivers and glacial lakes with the Southern Alps as a backdrop.
The Q Wines Vineyard was one of the first to be developed in the valley. Planted in 2005, it lies on the southern bank of the Waitaki River the boundary between North Otago and Canterbury, on a substrate of fractured limestone marl with an overlay of alluvial silts.
Their vines are densely planted and hand harvested. A relatively cool climate combined with powerful winds and warm summers extend the season allowing their grapes to ripen slowly.
Q Wine have 6 hectares planted, in three grape varieties; Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Each clone is planted on two root-stocks.
Three clones of Pinot Gris, Sel Ovaille, Barrie and Lincoln Berry Smith, their Pinot Noir has blending opportunities for the winemaker from five clones; UCD5, Abel, 667, 777 and 115. The three Chardonnay clones are the traditional Burgundian B95, UCD15 and 548.
They crop low to produce exceptional wines with great concentration that are a true reflection of their terroir. From bud burst to grape selection, harvest date, and tasting, the whole process is carefully attended to by their winemaker Antony Worch and viticulturist Timbo Deaker whose care and passion is evident in every bottle.
“AS ALWAYS THIS WINE IS A REFLECTION OF THE QUALITY
OF FRUIT AT HARVEST AND WINE-MAKING SKILL. . .”
THE WINES
Q Wine produce 3 varieties & have 5 wines in their range, a selection of current and past vintages are available to purchase online.
Here is a wee taster of what these wines will offer you as a Wonderful Waitaki Wine experience…
Q CHARDONNAY 2021 – Generous and textural palate combining minerality and richness with long lasting aromas of white flowers and complex spices showing fresh ginger, white pepper and vanilla bean.
Q PINOT NOIR ROSE 2023 – Aromas of watermelon, and wild strawberry are powerful and long lasting. Partially fermented in French oak barriques, giving the palate great concentration and texture.
Q PINOT GRIS 2023 – Nice bright yellow tones with pale hues. Subtle aromas of baked apple, tropical fruit with a hint of nectarine and
sweet ginger. A textural palate, balanced with a flinty acidity.
Q PINOT NOIR 2020 – Seductive aromatics of wild berry and delicate floral notes with a hint of spice. Luscious on the palate. The tannins
are soft and silky making this a very elegant Pinot Noir.
Q BARREL RESERVE PINOT GRIS 2023 – Nice bright yellow tones with golden hues. Revealing aromas of tropical fruits, toasted brioche and vanilla bean spice. The mouth is full bodied and opulent, balanced with a flinty acidity.
NZ Wine Writers Rate Q Wine – https://www.qwine.co.nz/accolades
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Q Wine has created a wine club so their biggest fans get the best deals, latest offers, access to limited production runs and an even better connection to Q.
Automatically get 25% off RRP and notifications of any special deals.
Periodic emails will keep you updated on exciting offers.
Exclusive access to limited production wines and run-outs.
Best of all – No joining fee! Click the ‘Big Q’
To Shop Q Wine online visit: https://www.qwine.co.nz/
JB’s Notes On Some Of The Q Wine Portfolio.
Q Wine Pinot Noir 2020, Waitaki Valley NZ
Dark ruby red / garnet in colour, lighter at the rim. Savoury, earthy aromas in the nose at first, then red fruit notes come through with cherries, plums, dark berries flavours & spice. Medium bodied palate with cherry & red berry fruit flavours, supported by a fresh / grippy acidity, fine chalky tannins & well integrated oak influence – all resulting in a generous and very persistent bone dry finish. Gorgeous! Another outstanding example of Waitaki Pinot Noir.
Q Wine Pinot Noir 2022, Waitaki Valley NZ
Medium translucent ruby red in colour lighter at the rim. The nose is fragrant & floral, with cherry & red berry aromas, savoury earth & spice notes. The lighter bodied palate has concentrated flavours of dark cherry, plum & raspberries, savoury earth notes & mixed spice. A bright acidity, grippy tannins & fine oak providing texture & depth. A mouth-watering, very long, bone-dry finish. An excellent example of the quality of Pinot Noir now produced in the Waitaki region.
Q Wine Chardonnay 2020, Waitaki Valley NZ
Bright shiny light lemon-gold in color, medium viscosity. In the nose tart grapefruit & juicy stone-fruit aromas, a little wet-stone mineral & yeasty lees notes. On the palate, layers of concentrated citrus & stone-fruit with fine barrel & lees influence, a grippy acidity, toasted cashew & warm spices – again like the 2021, a wonderfully textured & luscious wine – very long intense & dry finish – stunning!
Q Wine Chardonnay 2021, Waitaki Valley NZ
Medium yellow-gold in colour, medium viscosity, clear bright. Fresh aromas of ripe peaches, grapefruit, crusty warm bread, vanilla biscuit & spice in the nose. On the palate, juicy concentrated stone-fruit & citrus flavours, a zesty acidity, toasty oak, a lush creamy, lees mouthfeel, nutty spice all nicely integrated. A little heat from 14.5% abv & very long dry finish. A complex & beautifully textured wine.
Q Wine Pinot Noir Rosé 2024, Waitaki Valley, NZ
Bright & shiny medium salmon pink in colour with copper hues. Fragrant nose with aromas of strawberries & cream, red berries & cherries. On the palate, concentrated plum, raspberry & cherry fruit flavours are supported by a fresh, tart acid line & fine rounded tannins adding complexity. A luscious, rich & very moreish dry finish. A great choice for celebrating NZ Rosé Day 2025.
Q Wine Barrel Reserve Pinot Gris 2023, Waitaki Valley NZ
Mid yellow-gold in colour to the rim with an oily viscosity / legs. Enticing nose with aromas of ripe stone-fruit, tropical fruit, yellow apple, warm spice, vanilla-wine biscuits. The creamy, silky palate has weight & complexity, juicy fruit flavours reflecting the nose, textured with fine tannins, a crisp acidity, lees & oak influences adding depth. Bone-dry concentrated finish – Excellent BF PG.
Q Wine Pinot Gris 2023, Waitaki Valley NZ
Bright deep yellow/gold in colour, medium legs, viscosity. Fragrant nose with aromas of fresh stonefruit, pineapple, red apple & mixed spice. Mid-weighted palate with texture & complexity, fruit flavours reflecting the nose, tropical, stone-fruit, pear, a refreshing acidity & ginger spices, residual sugars result in a long off-dry finish. Juicy!
Q Wine Pinot Gris 2024, Waitaki Valley NZ
Mid straw coloured with yellow-gold hues, medium legs, viscosity. Fresh aromas of stewed apple, pear, nectarine & spice in the nose. The palate is crisp, youthful & bright with layers of peach, apple & tropical fruit flavours, subtle oak / lees influence, a grippy citrus acidity & spicy notes all in harmony, great length too. Delicious!