Pinot Gris 2022 – Kim Crawford

The grapes to produce the Pinot Gris Kim Crawford were harvested, crushed, and gently pressed with minimal skin contact. The clarified juice was then cool fermented in stainless steel tanks using a number of yeasts to capture the fruit profile and retain freshness.

For the first time, the largest component of the 2019 Pinot Gris came from a site in Waipara, North Canterbury. This fruit alongside a parcel from the estate owned ‘Favourite’ vineyard on the north bank of the Lower Awatere provides lively pear and quince flavours with crisp acidity. A further 15% came from the Hawke’s Bay and a small portion of Gewurztraminer from the Bendigo vineyard in Central Otago gives a spicy lift on the palate.

Kim Crawford Wines was established in late 1996, when Kim launched a range made from fruit grown in the South Island. Kim sold the company to Constellation in 2005 and has since handed the winemaking reins over to the Constellation winemaking team. Despite Kim no longer being involved with these wines, the current winemakers continue the classic Kim Crawford philosophy and style. Control over grape supply has always been essential for Kim Crawford Wines and they now have the largest vineyard resource in Marlborough of any wine company, across the greatest breadth of sub-regions, ensuring consistent quality and style. For that consistency, and success over the past 20 years, Wine Enthusiast magazine USA recognised Kim Crawford as their “New World Winery of the Year 2016”.