Moonlight Race Pinot Noir

Beef, Veal, Game (deer, venison), Poultry

Less rain during winter and a very windy October, meant vine growth started off quite slowly. Some frost fighting was required; however, no damage was sustained. The weather warmed considerably to above average temperatures throughout spring, enabling healthy vine growth and a favourably short flowering. Central Otago had fantastic summer weather and very warm nights at times, so the growing season quickly caught up. Cooler periods in February did not change the overall flow of the season and harvest took place at the usual time during March and April, with winter setting in shortly afterwards.

After 12 months in French oak barriques, of which 25% were new, the wine was bottled unfined.

The team at Burn Cottage worked closely with the other growers throughout the season, and the wines were nurtured using their traditional care and attention. The Pinot Noir underwent indigenous ferments for around 19 days, with 22% of the fruit kept as whole clusters.

The Burn Cottage Vineyard property was purchased in 2002. It had been grazed by sheep for as long as can currently be remembered. There were and are no immediate vineyard neighbours. The site was much coveted in the region as it is sheltered from both northerly and southerly winds by large hills and forms a beautiful protected bowl much like a modern amphitheatre. Husband and wife Marquis Sauvage and Dianne Sauvage were on a return trip from the Mornington Peninsula in Australia and had decided to visit several regions in New Zealand. For some time the family had contemplated starting their own winery. Dianne and Marquis were struck by the extraordinary beauty of Central Otago and became even more impressed after tasting through the region's wines particularly Felton Road and Gibbston Valley. They decided that they had found the place they were looking for. Marquis continued the property search with a real estate broker and came across the Burn Cottage site. As Marquis likes to say he had visited enough great vineyards around the world and this one had the right look. Unbeknownst to the Sauvages several prominent local wineries and winemakers were interested in the site and had had their eyes upon it for some time. The property became available in January of 2002 and the Sauvages were able to purchase it at auction. The Sauvages contacted Ted Lemon owner and winemaker of Littorai Wines in Sebastopol CA to seek his involvement in the project. The Sauvages were unaware at the time that Ted already had deep connections to New Zealand and particularly to Central Otago. Ted and Marquis travelled to New Zealand to see the property and Ted was sold on the idea upon the spot.