Gibbston Vineyard (Planted 2000)

Valli’s Gibbston estate vineyard, planted at 4040 vines/ha and cropping at only1kg/vine, ensures perfect ripeness. The first vineyard in the valley to be planted in true north to south direction, it maximises the amount of sunlight hours the vines receive, contributing dramatically to the uniform ripening of fruit, a critical factor in Pinot Noir quality. The vineyard soils are mainly schist derived, windblown alluvial loess. The topsoil is between .5 and 1m deep over free draining gravels that allow the vine roots to easily access water and nutrients. Gibbston, one of the coolest sub regions of Otago, has one of the slowest ripening seasons. A key factor in quality Pinot Noir from such a cool area is long hang time, that is, the amount of time the grapes are on the vine; this allows them to develop elegance and complexity of flavour. Sometimes the Pinot Noir is not picked until early May.

Bannockburn Vineyard (Planted 2000)

The location of Valli’s Bannockburn Vineyard is only 20km from Gibbston in the Cromwell basin but the difference in climate markedly noting the wines. The Bannockburn wines reflect this warmer area by displaying darker fruits, by being denser, powerful and with longevity based more on their tannin structure, whereas Gibbston wines are based more on their acidity. The soils are also windblown loess over gravelly schist but with sandier, deeper topsoil, which allows for free draining. Climate rather than soil attributes to the main difference in the wines.

Waitaki North Otago Vineyard (Planted 2001)

New Zealand’s newest and most exciting wine growing region where, like Burgundy, the soils are limestone based. After only a couple of commercial vintages, we are already seeing incredible consistency in the perfume and minerality of the wines. Slightly cooler than Central Otago, the Waitaki Valley should not be cropped as heavily and Valli’s vineyard is close planting at 5,000 vines per hectare with early ripening clones from Dijon and Pommard.

Alexandra Vineyard (Planted 1981)

Alexandra’s greater diurnal temperature range and hot days to ripen fruit fully along with its cool nights to retain acid make the region perfect for Riesling.