Dec 30, 2022
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Pyramid Valley Vineyards
| Owner(s) | Claudia Weersing, Mike Weersing |
| Web site | www.pyramidvalley.com |
| Link to this site |
Pyramid Valley Vineyards is a boutique winery owned by Mike and Claudia Weersing who buy grapes by the acre from vineyards in New Zealand (Growers Collection Wines). The Weersings have also planted their own vineyards in limestone-rich soils near Pegasus Bay in Pyramid Valley, about 20 minutes west of Waipara. Winemaker Mike Weersing has an impressive winemaking resume, having worked in many top estates in Spain, Germany and France and also brings meticulous and hands-on attention to the management of his vines. Because of extra canopy management, yields are typically 40-60% of that realized by other buyers of the same vineyard (0.7 tons per acre in 2007) with significantly better maturity. Farming is biodynamic.
Winemaking features a strict minimum of additions - little or no sulfur, natural settling, no enzymes, fermentation exclusively with natural yeasts, natural malos, no finings, and filtration only when necessary. The grapes are tread by foot and fermented in tiny clay vessels. Production is tiny. The obvious commitment to quality and authenticity here suggests this label is poised for future stardom.
The wines are imported by Terra Firma Wine Co. LLC, Oakland, CA.
Articles About Pyramid Valley Vineyards
Reviewed Wines
2011 Pyramid Valley Vineyards Angel Flower Canterbury New Zealand Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., screwcap.
Imported by Pyramid Valley Vineyards, USA, LLC, Pescadero, CA.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in the
glass. Noticeable steely minerality on the nose complimented the aromas of dark red fruits. Welcoming mid
weight flavors of dark red berries, plums and cherries with a loamy, herbal undertone. The modest tannins are
quite soft, and the juicy acidity gives the wine a pleasingly refreshing tension. Overall, a notable wine with
impressive balance and terroir-based presence.
Score: 90.
Reviewed October 21, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 Pyramid Valley Vineyards Earth Smoke Canterbury New Zealand Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., screwcap. Imported by Pyramid Valley
Vineyards, USA, LLC, Pescadero, CA. This wine comes from the home
vineyard of Mike and Claudia Weersing’s estate vineyard that is farmed
organically and biodynamically. Densely planted vines are established
on clay and limestone soils. No commercial yeasts, bacteria, enzymes,
fining or filtering.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Intriguing
aromas of wild raspberry, sous-bois, cherry pie glaze, fennel, oak and
floral bouquet. Very tasty essence of fresh raspberry and strawberry
coulis with good attack and finishing presence. Well-crafted, with supple
tannins, bright acidity and textural interest.
Score: 91.
Reviewed October 21, 2014
ARTICLE »
2007 Pyramid Valley Vineyards Growers Collection Calvert Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.71, 700 cases,
$44, screw cap. Imported by multiple US importers including Wine
Connections Inc, Denver, CO, Cellar Door Imports, Inc., Woodland
Hills, CA, Robert Mackin, Artisan Wines, Norwalk, CT, and Terra Firma
Wine Co, Oakland, CA. Pyramid Valley proprietors Mike and Claudia
Weersin source grapes from prestigious growers throughout New
Zealand. Calvert Vineyard is farmed biodynamically by the team at Felton
Road. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Deeply colored trending to the purple spectrum.
Lovely black cherry and blackberry fruit aromas initially, fading some over time
revealing a more savory spectrum of scents including underbrush, green
garden and the slightest oak. The moderately dense red and black fruits have an earthy side and a presence
on the palate that demands your attention. Juicy and silky textured with fine grain tannins and a clean finish,
with a beautifully harmonious composition that can age. A metrosexual wine: fairly masculine intensity with a soft and
elegant presence.
Reviewed June 22, 2010
ARTICLE »
2006 Pyramid Valley Vineyards Growers Collection Calvert Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $35, screw cap. Imported by Terra Firma Wine Co
LLC, Oakland, CA. Owen and Michelle Calvert were married on and cultivate the
Calvert Vineyard in the Bannockburn region of Central Otago. The vineyard is
managed by the team at Felton Road who also bottle a vineyard-designate Pinot
Noir from the vineyard.
·
An intensely fruity nose of dried black cherries, dark ripe
berries, cranberry and rhubarb is echoed in the flavors which make an entry
statement. Fruit-driven with a hint of earthiness, soft, dry tannins and grippy acidity
on the tart finish. Will pick up complexity with time in the bottle.
Reviewed October 13, 2008
ARTICLE »
2011 Pyramid Valley Vineyards Angel Flower Canterbury New Zealand Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., screwcap. Imported by Pyramid Valley Vineyards, USA, LLC, Pescadero, CA. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Noticeable steely minerality on the nose complimented the aromas of dark red fruits. Welcoming mid weight flavors of dark red berries, plums and cherries with a loamy, herbal undertone. The modest tannins are quite soft, and the juicy acidity gives the wine a pleasingly refreshing tension. Overall, a notable wine with impressive balance and terroir-based presence. Score: 90. Reviewed October 21, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 Pyramid Valley Vineyards Earth Smoke Canterbury New Zealand Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., screwcap. Imported by Pyramid Valley Vineyards, USA, LLC, Pescadero, CA. This wine comes from the home vineyard of Mike and Claudia Weersing’s estate vineyard that is farmed organically and biodynamically. Densely planted vines are established on clay and limestone soils. No commercial yeasts, bacteria, enzymes, fining or filtering. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Intriguing aromas of wild raspberry, sous-bois, cherry pie glaze, fennel, oak and floral bouquet. Very tasty essence of fresh raspberry and strawberry coulis with good attack and finishing presence. Well-crafted, with supple tannins, bright acidity and textural interest. Score: 91. Reviewed October 21, 2014 ARTICLE »
2007 Pyramid Valley Vineyards Growers Collection Calvert Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.71, 700 cases, $44, screw cap. Imported by multiple US importers including Wine Connections Inc, Denver, CO, Cellar Door Imports, Inc., Woodland Hills, CA, Robert Mackin, Artisan Wines, Norwalk, CT, and Terra Firma Wine Co, Oakland, CA. Pyramid Valley proprietors Mike and Claudia Weersin source grapes from prestigious growers throughout New Zealand. Calvert Vineyard is farmed biodynamically by the team at Felton Road. Unfined and unfiltered. · Deeply colored trending to the purple spectrum. Lovely black cherry and blackberry fruit aromas initially, fading some over time revealing a more savory spectrum of scents including underbrush, green garden and the slightest oak. The moderately dense red and black fruits have an earthy side and a presence on the palate that demands your attention. Juicy and silky textured with fine grain tannins and a clean finish, with a beautifully harmonious composition that can age. A metrosexual wine: fairly masculine intensity with a soft and elegant presence. Reviewed June 22, 2010 ARTICLE »
2006 Pyramid Valley Vineyards Growers Collection Calvert Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $35, screw cap. Imported by Terra Firma Wine Co LLC, Oakland, CA. Owen and Michelle Calvert were married on and cultivate the Calvert Vineyard in the Bannockburn region of Central Otago. The vineyard is managed by the team at Felton Road who also bottle a vineyard-designate Pinot Noir from the vineyard. · An intensely fruity nose of dried black cherries, dark ripe berries, cranberry and rhubarb is echoed in the flavors which make an entry statement. Fruit-driven with a hint of earthiness, soft, dry tannins and grippy acidity on the tart finish. Will pick up complexity with time in the bottle. Reviewed October 13, 2008 ARTICLE »