Rex Pickett, author of the iconic novel 'Sideways', now introduces his new range of wines showcasing the best of New Zealand's winemaking regions.

2 x Sideways Reserve Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2020

Awarded 94/100 Points & 5 Stars: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Nov 2021

"It’s gorgeously ripe and perfumed on the nose showing Black Doris plum, violet, cedar, olive and subtle game characters, leading to a concentrated palate that’s plush and generous. Wonderfully styled with refinement as well as opulence, finishing impressively long and satisfying. At its best: now to 2028." Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Nov 2021

The 2020 Pinot Noir shows elegance and finesse reflecting the warm growing season in the region. Strong aromatic expressions of red berries, spice and herb give way to a fresh palate with generous length and graceful oak.

The vineyard blocks selected for this wine receive additional attention during the growing season with a lot of leaf plucking and shoot positioning done by hand to expose the fruit and ensure optimum ripeness. The vineyard is planted in a combination of rootstock and Pinot Noir clones. This Pinot Noir was made from clones 667, 5, 777, and Abel. Each of which add their own character and complexity to the final blend.

In the winery, the different batches of fruit were processed separately so that the individual characters could be retained. Further complexity was then added by incorporating different techniques such as plunging and pumping over to ensure maximum flavor extraction. As well as this, different yeast combinations along with wild yeasts were used to add even more depth of flavour. The grapes were left to cold soak for 3 days prior to fermentation. They were then left on skins for 21 days before being pressed off into barrel. There they spent 12 months in oak (23% new) before the final blend was put together.

Alc. 13%

2 x Sideways Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2020

Awarded 93/100 Points & 5 Stars: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Nov 2021

"Beautifully ripe and inviting with dark cherry, floral, clove and roasted hazelnut aromas, it’s juicy and rounded in the mouth offering terrific fruit power and persistency. Silky and lingering with plenty of delectable flavours. At its best: now to 2026." Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Nov 2021

This Pinot Noir combines subtle aromas of raspberry, blackberry and herb with a little earthiness. Chocolate, sweet cherry and spice show on the palate. Excellent with roast duck, lamb chops with barbequed asparagus.

The vineyard is planted in a range of Pinot Noir clones that give character and complexity to our wines. Naturally Low yields and meticulous viticulture ensure clean ripe fruit is selected for this wine. The 2020 growing season was an excellent one, producing fruit with phenolic ripeness, great concentration, bold colours and excellent tannin structure.

The fruit was harvested by clonal selection and fermented in small open top fermenters. A combination of plunge and pump over techniques ensured optimum flavour extraction. After ferment the wines were aged in French barrels for 10 months, before blending and bottling.

Alc. 13%

2 x Sideways Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2021

Awarded 91/100 Points & 4.5 Stars: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Nov 2021

"Attractively fruited and elegantly complex, the bouquet shows apricot, hazelnut, nougat and subtle spice aromas, followed by a succulent palate delivering rounded mouthfeel and creamy texture. Beautifully balanced and harmonious with a lengthy expansive finish" Sam Kim Wine Orbit, Nov 2021

Sourced from vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, this is a rich style of Chardonnay with an accent on strong fruit flavours. Ripe melon, nectarine and summer peach aromas abound with oak hints of cedar and spice and a soft finish. Ideally matched with creamy pasta and white meat dishes, it is also great with seafood.

This Chardonnay was cool fermented with both aromatic yeasts and Burgundy style yeasts. Once fermentation was completed, the wine was left for an extended period on yeast lees to promote textural qualities and mouthfeel. The wine exhibits stonefruit and ripe citrus flavours with a rich, mealy texture.

This chardonnay is a mix of clones Mendoza and Fifteen, from the Bridge Pa and Crownthorpe districts in Hawke’s Bay. Free draining stony gravels are the pre-dominant soil structure in this area. The crop was kept low and well exposed to ensure even ripening and optimal flavour development.

Alc. 13%