Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewurztraminer

Origin

This wine is predominantly from the Home block around the winery with the balance from Peter and Julie Woodward’s vineyard just a few hundred metres down the road. Both blocks have vines aged between 15 years old and 40 years old, growing on quite heavy, clay-based soils. These two elements combine to produce wines with a plush, supple palate. The 2019 harvest was a dream with moderate crops after a lovely warm spring and summer.

Producer

The original company vineyard was planted in 1982 by Ross and Barbara Lawson, who launched the Lawson’s Dry Hills label some ten years later, in 1992. Today, the company’s wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, all made from fruit grown in the Wairau, Waihopai, Omaka and Awatere Valleys. These different regions and carefully selected vineyard sites provide varying characteristics derived from the different soils and microclimates, giving many options when it comes to blending to that much-anticipated Lawson’s style.

The dedicated bunch of people that make up the small team at Lawson’s Dry Hills are very ‘hands on’, living and breathing every part of the viticultural and winemaking process.

Grape Variety

100% Gewurztraminer

This wine was made from several picks. The earlier harvested grapes providing the backbone with slightly higher acidity, while those picked a little later, added richness and weight. The grapes were pressed very gently to avoid the harsh phenolics that can come from the skins. The free-run juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures with selected, cultured yeast while the rest was fermented with wild yeast in old, French oak barrels. This is not for oak influence to come through in the wine, but for added complexity. After several months resting on the yeast lees post ferment, we blended a little of the pressings into the free run to provide some extra volume and complexity.

Food Match

Perfect match for madras curry and spicy Thai flavours.

Suitable for vegetarians & vegans.

Alcohol Percentage

14%