Producer

Akarua

In October 2022, Edmond de Rothschild Heritage purchased Akarua, a historic and pioneering estate in Central Otago – an important and much-longed-for addition to the Edmond de Rothschild Heritage range. Hand-selected for its unique terroir and rare balanced conditions suited to producing the finest Pinot Noirs. Akarua, meaning ‘two vines’ in Maori, refers to the original grape varieties planted on the estate in 1996: Pinot …Read more

In October 2022, Edmond de Rothschild Heritage purchased Akarua, a historic and pioneering estate in Central Otago – an important and much-longed-for addition to the Edmond de Rothschild Heritage range. Hand-selected for its unique terroir and rare balanced conditions suited to producing the finest Pinot Noirs. Akarua, meaning ‘two vines’ in Maori, refers to the original grape varieties planted on the estate in 1996: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which now represent over 78% and 2% of the plantings respectively. A small amount of Riesling and Pinot Gris are also planted. The Akarua vineyard is a unique site, measuring 52 hectares, 34.5 of which planted with vines. The estate is tucked into the foothills of the mountains rising above Kawarua River and is located in Bannockburn. The vineyard occupies three west-facing terraces and enjoys intense sun all year round. This outstanding terroir lends remarkable character to the Pinot Noir in a reflection of the spectacular mountains surrounding the estate. The second most cultivated varietal in New Zealand, Pinot Noir captures and reproduces the intensity of the Bannockburn terroir. Reputed worldwide for its Pinot Noir, Bannockburn now rivals the emblematic regions of Burgundy and Oregon. Read less