Winemakers Collection Nelson Sparkling Johanna NV

Wine Analysis

Vineyard: Seifried Rabbit Island Vineyard
Sugar at Harvest: 17.4°Brix
Date of Harvest: March 2012
Residual Sugar: 10g/L

The Vineyard

Our Rabbit Island Vineyards are situated on a wide river flat. The soil is gravelly, sandy loam, which marks the sites of Maori kumara beds (sweet potato) prior to European settlement in the early 1800’s. The Maori transferred and spread fine gravel and sand over the land to provide suitable soils for their kumara plantings. Scrub was burned to give ash and charcoal, which increased soil fertility and gave characteristic top-soil. This fertility is now considerably reduced due to modern farming. The soils are, however very sandy and free draining. The natural water table is relatively high ensuring adequate underground water.

These vineyards are about 1.5 kilometres from the sea, which helps moderate temperatures.

Winemakers Note

Johanna is a traditional blanc de blanc made from Seifried grapes grown at our Seifried Rabbit Island Vineyard. The juice was fermented then matured on the yeast lees for 18 months giving Johanna a gorgeous pale straw colour and an appealing fragrance of fresh brioche.

Tasting Note

The Seifried Winemakers Collection Nelson Sparkling Johanna NV is a pale golden colour with fine mousse and inviting aromas of lemon, honey dew and toasted nuts. The palate is concentrated and full with clean acidity leaving a lasting finish.