Initiating from meticulous site selection and vineyard design in 1991, the tale of Felton Road encapsulates an unwavering commitment to avoiding compromise. Anchored in an uncompromising 100% estate policy, coupled with a full embrace of organic and biodynamic viticulture (endorsed by BioGro and Demeter certification), the journey of their fruit to the winery is marked by an unparalleled degree of purity. This dedication extends to the entirety of their estate, earnestly pursuing the essence of genuine sustainability.
Their dedication to non-intrusive winemaking is evident: the employment of gravity flow, the utilization of wild yeasts and spontaneous malolactic fermentation, and the conscious choice to bypass fining and filtration together preserve the wine's authentic expression of its terroir. The outcome manifests as Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir—each a genuine reflection of the authenticity and intricacy woven into their distinctive vineyards.
Felton Road farms four properties totaling 34 ha in the Bannockburn subregion of Central Otago. This wine is a blend from our four vineyards: Cornish Point, Calvert, MacMuir and The Elms. Meticulous summer management of a single vertical shoot positioned (VSP) canopy ensures even and early fruit maturity. Shoot thinning, shoot positioning, leaf plucking, bunch thinning and harvest are all carried out by hand to ensure optimum quality fruit. Cover crops are planted between rows to assist in vine balance and to improve soil health and general biodiversity.