The Varietal of the Season - NZ Pinot Noir

When analysing our sales data for the last five years, it is clear that there is a rhythm to the wine year. There’s a seasonal sensibility to wine that matches the mood of the weather, our meals, and the moments we choose to savour... Pinot Noir, with its elegance and nuance, is purchased the most consistently through the colder months. When the days call for something more thoughtful than a crisp white but less weighty than a dense red, Pinot steps in. A gentle chill before serving can lift the bright fruit and structure in a way that makes it equally suited to a fireside supper or a late afternoon glass in the winter sun.

New Zealand Pinot Noir has carved out an international reputation for purity and brightness. You’ll find notes of red cherry, raspberry, and wild strawberry, underpinned by fine acidity, subtle earthy undertones, and a silky tannic structure. The flavours are shaped by our cool maritime climate, long daylight hours, and unique soils. From Marlborough’s lifted aromatics to Central Otago’s deeper, darker fruit and Martinborough’s savoury edge, the expression varies beautifully by region. Marlborough Pinots, like Catalina Sounds 2023 and Odyssey Pinot Noir 2023, tend to be fresh and vibrant, with bright red fruit, gentle spice, and an elegant structure that makes them highly versatile at the table.

Some pairings are time-tested: Pinot Noir with duck or wild mushrooms is a match made in culinary heaven. The earthy, savoury elements in both the wine and the food echo and elevate each other. But a good local Pinot can also handle spice and lift. Surprisingly, it plays beautifully with fragrant Vietnamese dishes, hoisin-glazed pork, or even a grilled lemongrass chicken. The fine tannins and acid structure cut through richness without overwhelming delicate herbs or heat.

Click Here to Browse our full Pinot Noir Collection

There’s also a case to be made for Pinot Noir rosés, even in the cooler months, as they offer ripe red fruit, floral lift, and gentle savoury notes, making them as food-friendly as they are refreshing. And of course, Pinot Noir is one of the noble grapes of Champagne. In traditional-method sparkling wines it provides structure, red fruit depth, and longevity, often without dominating the blend. Its versatility across still, rosé, and sparkling formats is unmatched.

These leading wines represent the diversity and depth of New Zealand Pinot Noir. Whether you're cellaring or opening now, they offer balance, elegance, and charm.

New Zealand exported over 1.5 million cases of Pinot Noir in 2023, contributing to a total of NZ$2.4 billion in wine exports (New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Report 2023). With around 5,600 hectares under vine, Pinot remains the country’s second-most-planted red variety (NZ Wine Statistics 2023). Major players like Villa Maria and Cloudy Bay help drive the global profile, while boutique producers like Greystone and Dicey have gained cult status. Highly respected British wine writer Jamie Goode has praised Amisfield Pinot for its "dark berry fruits… savoury notes and a touch of black pepper," and The New York Times’ Eric Asimov simply declared, "New Zealand Pinot is ready for prime time."

Finally, for those thinking long term, New Zealand Pinot Noir cellars gracefully. Top examples from Central Otago and Martinborough can evolve over 5 to 10 years, developing umami-rich notes of forest floor, dried herbs, and leather. Keep bottles stored at 13–15°C, away from light and vibration. For the seasoned collector, these wines offer not just drinking pleasure, but a timeline of flavour worth exploring.

As the season shifts, Pinot Noir proves once again it’s the thinking drinker’s red: versatile, elegant, and deeply satisfying.

Click Here to Browse our full Pinot Noir Collection