The Akarua vineyard is a unique site, measuring 52 hectares, 34.5 of which planted with vines. The estate is tucked into the foothills of the mountains rising above Kawarua River upstream of Lack Dunstan, in the midst of a breathtaking landscape. Located in Bannockburn in the Central Otago region, the vineyard occupies three west-facing terraces and enjoys intense sun all year round. This outstanding terroir lends remarkable character to the Pinot Noir in a reflection of the spectacular mountains surrounding the estate. Floral and spicy, it has a nose of raspberries and blackcurrant, while the pallet derives of black cherry.

Crimson is our selection of fruit from younger parcels of vines from our various vineyards on the Martinborough Terrace. In their youth, vines tend to be more fruit expressive, gaining more complexity with time. Now, Crimson is developing more depth of flavour, with a mix of vines aged from 5 to 20 years.

Babich were the first New Zealand company to win a Gold medal for Pinot Noir back in the early 80's. This wine is well balanced, beautifully structured and simply delicious. Aromas and flavours of bright red and black berry fruit mingling with sweet black spice-infused cherry abound. It's smooth as silk on the palate and has a lingering lip-smacking finish. Well paced and well priced Pinot.

This Pinot Noir has a deep ruby colour and offers a complex aroma of dark forest fruits, wild thyme and subtle smoke. The palate has flavours of vibrant blackberries and cherries, with a glossy mouthfeel, delicate acidity and plush tannins. Pair with chargrilled meats and game dishes.

California Pinot Noir develop rich cherry characteristics as a result of the warm climate, and longer ripening time on the vine. They harvest at night, then cold soak the grapes to preserve its rich berry flavours and ruby-red colour. Then it is fermented in stainless steel tanks to enhance the cherry flavours. Finally aged in oak with a mix of French, American and medium toast levels to integrate the cask aged characters for seven long months. They remain patient as they wait for this ageing process to yield their favourite elevated characteristics of cherry, strawberry, toast, vanilla, and spice.

Uncomplicated, upfront and enjoyable. Signature black cherry fruit flavours.

River Run is Chard Farm's Central Otago regional Pinot Noir made from grapes grown in their vineyards in different sub-regions of Central Otago. The deep alpine valleys and waterways of Central Otago have craved the land available for grape growing into quite distinct sub-regions. Each pocket of land has its own unique climate and soil mix producing quite different styles of Pinot Noir. River Run captures the character of each of the sub-regions where are vineyards are planted. Lowburn gives bright, fresh sweet fruit, Gibbston savory and herbal tones, and Parkburn brings good texture and mineral length. An expressive and complex bouquet with sweet floral notes swirling around ripe cherry and plum fruit with aromatic spice in the background. There's ample fresh fruit and velvety tannin on a palate that is elegant, satisfying and highly drinkable.

The McDonald Series wines are an expression of both their fruit and the vision of their namesake winemaker. Beautifully fragrant, this wine is built around a core of bright red and black fruit, overlaid with beautiful floral, spice and fresh thyme notes, with subtle oak in support. On the palate the wine is lithe, fresh and juicy with a gentle finish. An elegant yet energetic Pinot Noir.

Dark on the nose, with appealing aromatics of black cherry and bramble fruit. The palate reveals layers of florals, gentle spice, melding with notes of boysenberry and Doris plum and framed by finely realised, silky tannins and juicy acidity.

The Devil's Staircase takes the willing down into the realm of decadence and bacchanalian delights. Here everything is pleasure, spiced up with a dash of naughtiness. The unrelenting environment tortures the vines whose twisted limbs produce wine worthy of absolution. These wines are sinfully succulent and devilishly good.

A bright perfumed, supple expression of Marlborough pinot noir from clay hill slopes. The fruit is supported by bright florals of rose and violets with crunchy red berry fruit and dried herb notes. The palate is succulent with alluring red cherry, brown spices and silky fine boned tannins.

Pinot Noir; notoriously difficult to cultivate, but with luck, love & perfect conditions, she will reward you with the performance of a life time - a minx & a devil in disguise, a Fickle Mistress. Central Otago's cool climate consistently produces exceptional red fruit flavours of cherry, raspberry and redcurrant, but with concentration and length to match. This wine is layered with black and red berry fruits, complemented by blossoming aromas of dark plum.