2015 Iti Riesling

The fruit for this wine was sourced entirely from selected rows in our organic certified vineyards in Brightwater, Nelson. It is 100% Riesling, harvested earlier than usual with a Brix level of 19.8º. Diligent leaf plucking gave good exposure, to ensure the fruit flavours were sufficiently ripe at this low Brix level.
The grapes were handpicked and gently whole bunch pressed, with juice oxidation carefully avoided to retain aromatics and freshness. The clarified juice was then cool fermented in stainless steel to retain primary fruit character, and the ferment stopped when the sugar-acid balance was considered ideal.
After ferment the wine was racked quickly, with the purpose of giving a clean fresh wine with maximum Riesling purity. The wine was finished and bottled in July 2015.