The Central Otago Wine Cellar -

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The Mount Edward winery and vineyard are situated on Coalpit Road in the heart of the Gibbston grape growing district about 20 minutes from Queenstown. Owner Alan Brady planted the first grapes in this valley and later founded Gibbston Valley Wines Ltd which he developed into a company with an international reputation for its wines, particularly Pinot Noir.

At the beginning of 1998 he retired as general manager of Gibbston Valley and built a small new winery on his private vineyard at Coalpit Road. Appropriately his new project overlooks many of the big new grape growing developments which have taken place since his pioneering efforts in the early 1980's. The building, designed by award winning Queenstown architect Michael Wyatt, takes its inspiration from Tuscany.

Mount Edward will remain a small and intensely personal project where Alan Brady intends to indulge some of the winemaking philosophy he has developed over the years.

Part of this "lifestyle" approach is to be able to present his wines personally. Tastings are conducted in a spacious and comfortable mezzanine area overlooking the winemaking facilities. Pinot Noir will continue to be Alan Brady's main preoccupation. He happily concedes the quest for the perfect pinot is a terminal disease from which he is not seeking relief. The first Mount Edward Pinot Noir - was from the 1998 vintage and came and went very quickly - current release is the 1999. The 1999 Mount Edward Riesling is a stunningly flavoured wine in a classic Mosel or Alsace auslese style.

Tastings are by appointment only. Tutored Pinot Noir tastings are held regularly by arrangement; specialist Burgundy tastings also available. All tastings are led by Alan Brady.

MOUNT EDWARD
Pinot Noir 2008 $45.95

Our 2008 Pinot Noir is what Mount Edward Pinot Noir is all about. Our style is one of grace and subtlety, wine that expresses Central Otago characters without the need for over the top concentration or brute force. The 2008 vintage has delivered a wine that shows such pure fruit, a fine balance of tannin and acidity all with a silky soft texture. It is a wine that shows clear typicity of region as well as varietal definition.
In 2008 Central Otago saw a growing season that was to all intents and purposes - fairly average - both in length and in temperature. As a result we carefully managed our own vineyards and crop thinned extensively to achieve optimum balance. In a year that saw New Zealand record its highest ever grape crop it was essential to keep vineyards in check if one wanted to grow premium wine. Our vineyard crew needs to be congratulated for allowing us to do so in 2008.

MOUNT EDWARD
Riesling 2008 $22.95

This Riesling is grown at our Lowburn vineyards where the soils here are a mixture of glacial and river based gravelly schist soils.
Harvested in April at a low 6 tonne per hectare, this Riesling is off dry in style. Floral and citrus aromas are followed by flavours of lemons, limes and stonefruits, all underpinned by mineral notes by refreshing acidity.
This wine is drinking extremely well now but can be cellared with confidence.