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El Niño 2023/24 and Central Otago Pinot Noir

The 1997–1998 El Niño was regarded as one of the most powerful El Niño–Southern Oscillation events in recorded history and we now know the 1998 vintage produced some of the greatest and longest lived Hawke's Bay red wines. NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Ass) states in a Dec 2023 blog, “There’s a 54% chance that this (2023/24) El Niño event will end up “historically strong”, potentially ranking in the top 5 on record.”In this blog I breakdown wh...

Pinot Noir - the most expressive of all

Here we look at the interesting story behind Pinot Noir and why Grasshopper Rock is dedicated to Pinot Noir.Pinot Noir is one of the world’s oldest known grapes and its origins go back centuries to northeast France and most notably the Burgundy and Champagne regions. It seems likely Pinot Noir originated from the domestication of wild vines growing there but not everyone agrees on this and some believe it was brought by invaders from Lombardy.Pinot Noir is unquestionably the most expressive of...

Unfolding transformation: structural shifts in Central Otago's Pinot Noir wine industry

Recent reports on New Zealand's annual vintage statistics have made waves, highlighting the wine industry's remarkable success. The total value of New Zealand's wine exports (year to May 2023) has surged by 25% compared to the previous year, reaching an impressive 2.4 billion. With this surge, wine has now become New Zealand's fifth-largest export, attributing much of its latest triumph to a record-breaking harvest last year.While these headline figures paint a promising picture for the industry...

Age worthy Pinot Noir

Grasshopper Rock’s 2013 vintage pinot noir keeps on giving ten years on.Back in 2013 when this vineyard was only 10 years old we did not know with any certainty how well the wine would age and we certainly did not anticipate the wine would still be awarded an outstanding rating (95 points) by a Master of Wine when opened 10 years later in 2023.As Central Otago’s Pinot Noir vineyards mature, we are starting to better understand why the best wines can and do age so gracefully.I recently tasted...

2023 vintage season report

When the last grapes are picked for the season, we take time to reflect on what the vines have delivered and try and understand what the defining moments for the vintage were. This 2023 vintage is our 18th and one of our more challenging in recent years. We have come through well in the circumstances and feel fortunate we missed the direct impact of Cyclone Gabrielle which hit many in the North Island. Gabrielle was a massive weather system and the most damaging cyclone to hit northern New Zeala...

Awards and reviews - Grasshopper Rock 2019

Competition AwardsAccoladesFine Wines of New Zealand Classic Wine of New Zealand - Michael CooperTop Wineries of New Zealand 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 - The Real ReviewWine Classification of New Zealeand - 2 Merits - The Real ReviewReviewsBob Campbell MW – The Real Review - 95/100Bright, fresh pinot with vibrant black cherry, violet, fresh herb, oyster shell and subtle spicy oak flavours supported by fine, bright tannins that give the wine energy and the flavours a gentle launching pad. Appe...

Introducing 2019 vintage

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Open That Bottle Night - 25 Feb

Open That Bottle Night is the one day of the year to make sure you open that bottle.That bottle is the one you have saved, been given, or carefully purchased for a special occasion but still haven’t opened. The last Saturday in February is the day. This year it is the 25th of February.Time slips by and the special occasion maybe hasn’t arrived or maybe you forgot about that bottle.That bottle may be a special wine you love but only have a one or very few of. That bottle may be a wine you hav...

New flagship label

When this Block 6 Pinot Noir was first reviewed, Bob Campbell MW rated the wine 95/100 and Raymond Chan rated the wine 19.0/20. Five years later Bob Campbell MW has raised his rating to 96/100. “The wine has become mellower and more complex”....

Classification of New Zealand wine

An exciting new wine classification has been launched. The Real Review Wine Classification comprises the greatest wines of New Zealand and Australia with an outstanding track record of a decade or longer. Each wine has demonstrated its quality in blind tastings over a period of at least ten years. The classification is a comprehensive, independent, and purely based on quality.  The chart above shows the current classification of Central Otago Pinot Noir. This is a dynamic classificati...

Sideways NZ

“Even when the weather isn't good it's still wonderful.  I grew up in San Diego.  Every day is the same.  Blue skies, no clouds, little rain, slightly colder (but not much) in the winter; blue skies, no clouds, little rain, slightly warmer (but not much) in the summer.  There are no seasons.  It is meteorologically monochromatic in every way, and some people like that, I guess, I prefer it here.” Rex Pickett is describing to me, from a Central Otago Pinot Noir v...

2022 vintage update

2022 was the most enjoyable harvest for many years with no weather pressure and perfectly clean and ripe pinot noir grapes. Everyone is excited about the 2022 vintage. The vintage was slightly warmer than average. 972 growing degree days versus our average of 942. However, as always what really matters is what happens month by month at critical times. During flowering in December, the weather was cloudier and wetter than normal which caused temperatures to drop and there was less flower germina...

Awards and reviews - Grasshopper Rock 2018

Competition Awards 92/100, International Wine Competition (London)Accolades Fine Wines of New Zealand 2020Classic Wine of New Zealand - Michael CooperTop Wineries of New Zealand 2019, 2020 & 2021 - The Real ReviewReviews Bob Campbell MW – The Real Review - 95/100Hottest vintage on record has produced a fruity and accessible pinot noir with ripe cherry, plum and raspberry flavours laced with spice and supported by French oak. Soft, fruity acidity provides a welcome backbone. Lovely purity and e...

2021 vintage update

2021 vintage, in summary, was a cool spring and January followed by a warm dry autumn which perfectly ripened a smaller than average crop. The grape volume was down by 20% as was the average bunch size. We picked a week earlier than normal due to the excellent ripening period and a smaller crop. Covid-19, and changes in the availability of skilled vineyard staff, made vineyard work more difficult.  Monthly September 2020. Temperatures dropped on the evening 27 September with a very cold sou...

Grasshopper Rock from the air

On an autumn day in Central Otago the air is crisp and clear and the colours vibrant. It is the ideal time to be airborne and capture some views of Grasshopper Rock. Our friend Roger Bennett captured these images while out on a CAA approved flight.  I will point out the local geography and history and its influence on the vineyard. This first image was taken on 3 May with the golden leaves of the poplar and willow trees. The vineyard (red dot) still has the bird nets on and stands out like ...

2020 vintage

SummaryThe 2020 was one of the more difficult vintages due to the cold weather and the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. Spring started normally but weather events turned against us. An unusual atmospheric phenomenon known as Sudden Stratospheric Warming turned everything upside down. A hailstorm hit the vineyard on 16 November and contributed to some flower damage. December, when the vines are flowering, was one of our coldest on record. It was the first time we have recorded lower temperatures in De...

Awards and reviews - Grasshopper Rock 2017

Competition Awards GOLD medal   95/100 Decanter World Wine AwardsGOLD medal - NZ Wine of the Year Awards Accolades Fine Wines of New Zealand 2019Classic Wine of New Zealand - Michael CooperTop Wineries of New Zealand 2019 and 2020 - The Real Review Reviews Bob Campbell MW – The Real Review - 96/100This is a classic Grasshopper Rock pinot noir with the volume turned up. It's richer, fleshier and more approachable than usual but has the distinctive cherry, violet, herb and mi...

NZ Winemaker of the Year 2020 finalists

We our thrilled to have our winemaker, Peter Bartle (VinPro), as one of the finalists.  This year marks the third year of Gourmet Traveller WINE's New Zealand Winemaker of the Year. The judging panel is New Zealand Editor Bob Campbell MW (chair) and industry stalwarts Cameron Douglas MS and Liz Wheadon. The other finalists are Larry McKenna (Escarpment), Jen Parr (Valli), Gordon Russell (Esk Valley), Andrew Keenleyside (Akarua) and Alastair Maling (Foley Wines). Last yea...

Hailstorm hits Grasshopper Rock

A thunderstorm on 16 November released small marble sized (10+mm) hail onto Grasshopper Rock damaging young shoots and florets. Fortunately, the outcome is only light damage and long term effect negligible. Hail of this severity is not something we have experienced before. With the potential to create significant damage in the vineyard, especially if hailstones were bigger in size and fell over an extended period, we have taken a closer look at the event. Spring thunderstorms are not uncommon. ...

2019 vintage

2019 vintage season was overall a warm year but started with hard frosts in September and October and ended with hard frosts in early April.  The 13 October frost during budburst was particularly hard but the vines were well protected from damage by our sprinkler frost fighting system.  Flowering and fruit set was very good although Spring was wetter than average.  March surprised by being warmer than February and bringing the start of harvest forward by about ten days to 5 April....

Raymond Chan

The New Zealand wine community lost some of its sparkle this week with passing of Raymond Chan after a courageous battle with cancer. (In early 2009, Raymond had a cancerous tumour surgically removed from his left parotid (saliva) gland followed by radiation and chemotherapy). Raymond had developed a great knowledge of wine and his detailed sense of smell, taste and balance was very special, as was his ability to communicate this to others. As a fledgling winery, Raymond first connected with Gra...

Wine tasting event tips

Plan to have fun at a wine tasting event. Download our tip sheet....

Awards and reviews - 2016 Grasshopper Rock

Competition Awards GOLD Medal   96/100 Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2018TOP100 & BLUE GOLD Medal - Sydney International Wine Competition Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2018 – GOLD Medal & 96/100An intensely juicy fruit core of black cherry and plum with lifted exotic spice and an earthy undertone. Velvety tannins and vibrant acidity with a mineral soy finish. Lengthy and moreish. Bob Campbell MW – The Real Review  95/100Delicately-scented pinot noir with purity and power. It's a good ...

Climate change

Since we established Grasshopper Rock in 2003, I have flown many times between Auckland and Queenstown. I always sit in a window seat to make the most of the high-altitude views of this beautiful country. The flight path is usually just west of Aoraki/Mt Cook and when the weather is clear the views are spectacular. In recent years I have been shocked to see how far and fast the Franz Josef Glacier has retreated and some years it seems every time I fly over it has retreated further....

Our vines are 15 years old this year - here is your feedback

Grasshopper Rock's vines are now 15 years old and we have good reason to celebrate. The vines have achieved a stage of maturity where the roots have fully colonized the available space and the trunks are now thick and strong with greater resilience, delivering richness and complexity of flavour and character. We have perhaps not yet seen the greatest wines from this vineyard. To mark the 15 years  we invited our customers to help celebrate with some feedback. We wer...