Spy Valley is the local nickname for the Waihopai Valley where a satellite communications-monitoring base is located. Situated amongst the rolling hills of the valley, 125 hectares of estate vineyards are planted with eight varieties of grapes producing premium-quality fruit surround the Spy Valley winery. Spy Valley crafts youthful, exuberant wines bursting with fruit flavours and aroma using modern winemaking techniques.
Crimson red in the glass, the Spy Valley Pinot Noir has aromas of rich cherries and a hit of darker berries.
The palate offers a firm and well textured wine with the rich cherries coming through, but carefully balanced with fine tannins. There is a gentle steelyness that is both persistent and balanced.
Awards and Accolades
SILVER, Quality Award - International Wine & Spirit Competition 2016
Highly Recommended - Decanter Magazine
☆☆☆☆☆ - Raymond Chan Wine Reviews "Even, moderately dark ruby-red colour with youthful purple hues. The nose is elegantly concentrated with complex layers of ripe, savoury dark-red berry fruits entwined with dark and dried herbs and whole bunch stalk aromatics. Some undergrowth elements show, along with dark-red floral lifted notes. The nose builds in depth and density with aeration. Medium-bodied, the palate is soft and gently presented with layers of savoury dark-red berry fruits melded with dark herbs, whole cluster stalk detail, undergrowth and nuances of mushroom. The fruit is supported by fine-grainy, supple tannin structure and balanced acidity contributes to the soft mouthfeel. The wine flows with gentle energy to an elegant, lingering finish of savoury and complex flavours of fruit and herbs. This is a gentle and soft, fine-textured Pinot Noir with complex layers of savoury fruit and herb notes. Match with wild duck and pork dishes over the next 4 years. Fruit from the ‘Johnson’, ‘Outpost’ and ‘Grapeview’ sites in the Southern Valleys, hand-picked and indigenous yeast fermented with approx. 25% whole bunches to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 11 months in 20-25% new oak."
2013 Vintage: GOLD - Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2015 GOLD - Sydney International Wine Competition 2015