Winemaker Notes
Brightwater Vineyards is the premium boutique vineyard and winery of Gary and Valley Neale. Established in the early nineties, the winery has developed an award-winning reputation for premium, hand-crafted wines. All their grapes are grown on estate vineyards, within “five minutes by tractor” of the modern winery. They utilize a minimal intervention approach allowing the true expression of the vineyards to show and make distinctive wines that display true fruit character, elegance and fine balance.
In 2012 Brightwater Vineyards was named as “New Zealand Winemaker of the Year” and also “Nelson Supreme Business of the Year.” Thei success comes down to the passion and committment of their wonderful team, led by Tony and Dale.
Rolling hills evolve from a scenic coastline to form an ideal setting for Sauvignon Blanc vineyards. Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay rank in after New Zealand’s prized varietal as most widely planted in Nelson. The region is slightly cooler and has more precipitation on average compared to Marlborough.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”