Product Description
The Felton Road Bannockburn Riesling 2024 is a stunning reflection of Central Otago's unique terroir, showcasing the delicate balance between natural sweetness, acidity, and complexity. Sourced from the Elms Vineyard, which is planted on deep soils of angular schist gravels, this wine is a product of careful vineyard management and minimal intervention winemaking. The 2024 vintage presents a classic Riesling that marries tropical fruit aromas with crisp acidity, creating a wine with depth, focus, and length.The nose of this Riesling is immediately inviting, with intense tropical fruit aromas that include ripe stone fruit such as peach and nectarine, giving way to a fully integrated natural sweetness. This richness builds on the mid-palate, almost reaching decadence, but is beautifully tempered by the wine's signature schist-infused acidity, which brings the wine into sharp focus. The result is a wine that balances sweetness and structure with a refreshing finish that speaks to the purity of the fruit and the unique soil of the vineyard. This 2024 vintage is a detailed and classic rendition of Felton Road's special style, offering a wine that will continue to evolve gracefully.
Maker
Felton Road is an iconic producer based in Central Otago, New Zealand, known for its commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture. Founded in 1991, Felton Road operates with a 100% estate policy, ensuring that all fruit comes from the winery's four vineyard properties in the Bannockburn subregion. With a focus on sustainability and minimal intervention, the winery works under the careful guidance of winemaker Blair Walter, viticulturist Gareth King, and proprietor Nigel Greening. Felton Road’s commitment to hands-off winemaking means that they utilise gravity flow, wild yeasts, and avoid fining and filtration, ensuring each wine expresses its true terroir. The estate’s meticulous farming practices and commitment to preserving the natural ecosystem make Felton Road a leading example of sustainability and quality in New Zealand’s wine industry.
Philosophy
Felton Road’s winemaking philosophy centres on sustainability, organic practices, and minimal intervention. The winery’s biodynamic approach ensures that every decision—from canopy management to harvest timing—is aligned with the natural rhythms of the land. By using gravity flow, wild yeasts, and avoiding fining and filtration, Felton Road creates wines that allow the terroir to speak clearly through each bottle. The estate’s focus on organic and biodynamic practices ensures that the vines grow in harmony with the environment, resulting in wines that are pure, authentic, and complex. Felton Road produces wines that reflect the authenticity of their unique vineyards, capturing the essence of Central Otago’s terroir in every bottle.
Tasting Notes
NOSE
Tropical Fruits, Stone Fruit, Floral
The nose is vibrant and inviting, with an abundance of tropical fruit aromas, including ripe stone fruit such as peach and nectarine. There’s a fragrant floral touch, enhancing the complexity and making this wine both fresh and enticing.
PALATE
Rich, Fresh, Balanced
On the palate, the wine is full of rich, ripe fruit balanced by crisp acidity. Peach and nectarine flavours dominate, giving the wine a sense of generosity, while a touch of minerality from the schist soils adds elegance. The balance between natural sweetness and acidity is beautifully executed, making this wine both vibrant and refreshing.
FINISH
Crisp, Mineral, Focused
The finish is long and focused, with the wine’s natural acidity and mineral character providing a clean, crisp conclusion. The stone fruit flavours linger delicately, ensuring a memorable and refreshing finish.
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Riesling
Country - New Zealand
Region - Central Otago
Vintage - 2024
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.5%
Other - Organic & Biodynamic
