Dec 30, 2022
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Valli Wines
| Owner(s) | Grant Taylor, Tim Valli |
| Web site | www.valliwine.com |
| Link to this site |
Giueseppe Valli emigrated from an Italian winemaking background to New Zealand in the 1870s. Five generations later, great-grandsons Grant Taylor and Tim Valli continue the tradition.
Born in Otago New Zealand, Grant graduated from Lincoln College, Canterbury, New Zealand. His wine making career began in California where in 1980 he helped build Pine Ridge Winery and worked as assistant winemaker until 1986. In 1987 he helped build another Napa Valley winery, Domaine Napa, where he was head winemaker until 1993. Lured by big trout, clean air, fewer people and the potential he saw for Otago wines, Grant returned home later that year to become Gibbston Valley’s winemaker. At that time there were 125 acres of grapes in Otago; today there are over 4,000 acres.
Grant has made wine for Gibbston Valley for 13 years before leaving to concentrate on Valli. Throughout his career in New Zealand, he has made the first wines for a number of other very successful Otago wineries.
In 1998 he established his own label, Valli, and purchased 16 acres in Gibbston. Grant purchases fruit from Bannockburn and Waitaki to produce two other single vineyard Otago Pinot Noirs. Valli’s aim is to produce single vineyard premium Pinot Noirs highlighting the differences in Otago’s sub-regions.
Grant’s winemaking for the past 14 years has been dedicated primarily to Pinot Noir. In 1995 he helped to establish Oregon’s renowned Pinot Noir producing winery, Archery Summit and has consulted there for most vintages since. Like a number of other Australian and New Zealand Pinot producers he has worked at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy. Having just completed 40 vintages.
Elizabeth Keys joined Valli in 2006. She has a Winemaking and Viticulture degree from University California Davis and has completed nine harvests worldwide. She has also consulted for an American Import company primarily sourcing Australian and New Zealand wines. Elizabeth’s main roles is sales and marketing but her winemaking experience also adds depth, fresh insight, and another palate when it comes to winemaking decisions. Elizabeth is the youngest member of the Valli family; her intelligence and energy is a vital ingredient to the family blend.
Tim Valli, Grant's first cousin, is involved in vineyard management and winery maintenance.
The wines are exported to the United States by RO Imports LLC, Napa.
Articles About Valli Wines
Reviewed Wines
2013 Valli “Bendigo” Gibbston Central Otago New Zealand Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.37, TA 0.79, 440 cases, $44.99,
screwcap. Grant Taylor has been making wines in the region
since 1993 and has crafted wines for many iconic Central Otago
wineries as well as his own label. Valli was established in 1998
and named after his great-great grandfather, Giuseppe Valli, who
immigrated to New Zealand. This wine is a single vineyard bottling from
Bendigo. Harvest Brix 25.3º. Clone 777 planted in 2000. 33% whole
cluster, 22 days on skins, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 34%
new.
·
Dark reddish purple color in the glass. The perfume of blackberry,
cassis and spice draws you into the glass. On the palate, the fruit
intensity is remarkable, featuring a sensory onslaught of violet and black
fruit and peppery spice flavors. The bodacious fruit sap is matched to daunting tannins which surface with an
astringent charge on the finish. This wine will benefit from several years in the cellar to ameliorate the tannins,
and can certainly last well into a second decade.
Score: 94.
Reviewed February 5, 2016
ARTICLE »
2011 Valli Gibbston Vineyard Central Otago New Zealand Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., screwcap. Grant Taylor and Tim Valli
carry on the tradition of Giuseppe Valli who emigrated from a
winemaking background to New Zealand in the 1870s.
Imported by Terrell Wines, San Francisco, CA.
·
Moderately dark
reddish purple color in the glass. Uplifting aromas of black
cherry, dark red berry, sous-bois and complimentary oak.
Delicious attack of fresh dark fraise de bois, boysenberry and cranberry
fruits with perfect oak seasoning. Beautifully balanced, silky and
seductive, with a peacock tail finish replete with gorgeous red berry and
cherry fruit that really attracts attention. Clearly the star of this New
Zealand Pinot Noir tasting and one to search out.
Score: 94.
Reviewed October 21, 2014
ARTICLE »
2006 Valli Bannockburn Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
13% alc., $40, screw cap. Imported by
RO Imports LLC, Napa, CA. Giueseppe Valli emigrated from an Italian winemaking background to
New Zealand in the 1870s. Five generations later, great-grandsons Grant Taylor and Tim Valli continue
the tradition.
·
This wine has an exotic perfume of mahogany, crayon, cardamom, chile and red
cherries. Red fruit and herbal flavors are simple and clean, the texture is soft and there is a welcome acid
kick at the end. Website: www.valli.co.nz.
Reviewed October 14, 2007
ARTICLE »
2006 Valli Waitaki Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., $40, screw
cap.
·
The nose is a contrasting trio of fruity red cherries, floral notes, and stinky
barnyard. Woody and vegetal flavors overwhelm the dark cherry fruit. Nicely
weighted and silky in texture. Unusual flavor profile with some savory contributions
I can’t put a finger on.
Reviewed October 13, 2008
ARTICLE »
2013 Valli “Bendigo” Gibbston Central Otago New Zealand Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.37, TA 0.79, 440 cases, $44.99, screwcap. Grant Taylor has been making wines in the region since 1993 and has crafted wines for many iconic Central Otago wineries as well as his own label. Valli was established in 1998 and named after his great-great grandfather, Giuseppe Valli, who immigrated to New Zealand. This wine is a single vineyard bottling from Bendigo. Harvest Brix 25.3º. Clone 777 planted in 2000. 33% whole cluster, 22 days on skins, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 34% new. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. The perfume of blackberry, cassis and spice draws you into the glass. On the palate, the fruit intensity is remarkable, featuring a sensory onslaught of violet and black fruit and peppery spice flavors. The bodacious fruit sap is matched to daunting tannins which surface with an astringent charge on the finish. This wine will benefit from several years in the cellar to ameliorate the tannins, and can certainly last well into a second decade. Score: 94. Reviewed February 5, 2016 ARTICLE »
2011 Valli Gibbston Vineyard Central Otago New Zealand Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., screwcap. Grant Taylor and Tim Valli carry on the tradition of Giuseppe Valli who emigrated from a winemaking background to New Zealand in the 1870s. Imported by Terrell Wines, San Francisco, CA. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Uplifting aromas of black cherry, dark red berry, sous-bois and complimentary oak. Delicious attack of fresh dark fraise de bois, boysenberry and cranberry fruits with perfect oak seasoning. Beautifully balanced, silky and seductive, with a peacock tail finish replete with gorgeous red berry and cherry fruit that really attracts attention. Clearly the star of this New Zealand Pinot Noir tasting and one to search out. Score: 94. Reviewed October 21, 2014 ARTICLE »
2006 Valli Bannockburn Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
13% alc., $40, screw cap. Imported by RO Imports LLC, Napa, CA. Giueseppe Valli emigrated from an Italian winemaking background to New Zealand in the 1870s. Five generations later, great-grandsons Grant Taylor and Tim Valli continue the tradition. · This wine has an exotic perfume of mahogany, crayon, cardamom, chile and red cherries. Red fruit and herbal flavors are simple and clean, the texture is soft and there is a welcome acid kick at the end. Website: www.valli.co.nz. Reviewed October 14, 2007 ARTICLE »
2006 Valli Waitaki Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., $40, screw cap. · The nose is a contrasting trio of fruity red cherries, floral notes, and stinky barnyard. Woody and vegetal flavors overwhelm the dark cherry fruit. Nicely weighted and silky in texture. Unusual flavor profile with some savory contributions I can’t put a finger on. Reviewed October 13, 2008 ARTICLE »