Rippon Gamay 2017

Rippin Gamay 2017 is lovingly grown, wild fermented, barrel matured. No nutrients, no filtering or fining of any kind, minimal sulphur. It’s completely alive and quite beautiful. As much as they note that schist’s compression and foliated structure can issue wines of precision and detail, here schist’s refractive, luminous nature shines a direct, unadulterated light onto Gamay’s own primary fruit and spice.

Rippon's story begins in 1912 when Sir Percy Sargood bought a high country station on the western flanks of Lake Wanaka. Three decades later, while serving in the Second World War as a submarine lieutenant, Percy's grandson, Rolfe Mills, was struck by the vines growing on the schist slopes of the Douro Valley that reminded him of those back in Wanaka and, with that, a hunch was born. In 1975, Rolfe and his wife Lois began planting experimental vines and, in 1982 began the commercial planting of the 15ha that today comprise Rippon. Biodynamic farming, wild ferments, no irrigation and some of Central Otago’s oldest vines on their own roots all help to produce fruit and wines which are true to their place.

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal -  Gamay
Country - New Zealand
Region - Central Otago
Vintage - 2017
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.2%