THE VINEYARD
2021 was an unbelievably light vintage in Nelson. Our Gewürztraminer yields were down 40 - 50% in the Nelson region due to a spring frost, poor December flowering and then the Boxing Day hailstorm which hit our region. Gewürztraminer is particularly light yielding even in a “good” year, so 2021 delivers a very small volume but top notch wine.The unirrigated Redwood Valley vineyard is situated on a gently sloping, north facing clay site; the vines range in age from 10 to 30 years. Vertical shoot positioning helps to expose the berries to sunlight, thus getting maximum intensity and optimal ripeness.The Brightwater vines are grown in an extremely stony area of the vineyard where water and nutrient levels are low. This helps us to restrict the plants vigour and to crop at low levels. Our Brightwater Vineyard is situated 15km from the coast and is sheltered from the south by the Richmond ranges. The ‘soil’ is a combination of rocks and boulders which is very hard on the farm equipment but vital for holding the warmth of Nelson’s sun and for ripening our Gewürztraminer grapes.
 
WINEMAKERS NOTE
Gewürztraminer is an early ripening variety with an aromatic, fragrant bouquet. It is naturally a low yielding vine which can produce wonderful concentration and flavour. After harvest the grapes were de-stemmed and left for a brief period of skin contact before pressing. The clear juice was inoculated with a pure yeast strain and then a cool, temperature-controlled fermentation began. After fermentation the wine had a period on yeast lees before it was racked, blended, clarified and stabilised prior to bottling in May 2021.
 
TASTING NOTE
The 2021 Seifried Nelson Gewürztraminer is powerful and intense with notes of crystalised ginger, roses and Turkish Delight. The palate is well proportioned with 16g/L natural residual sweetness complementing the wines concentrated fruit flavours on the palate. Enjoy!
 
94 Points, New World Wine Awards 2021, New Zealand
94 Points - Cameron Douglas MS, The Shout, September 2021
94 Points (5 Stars) - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit 2021