WHISTLING BUOY WINERY
Our family-owned boutique vineyard and winemaking company is situated within the Crater of Lyttelton Harbour, Banks Peninsula and consists of two vineyard locations.
The original (Half Acre) home vineyard is located in Lyttelton Harbour (maritime reserve) on Banks Peninsula. The flanks of the Lyttelton volcanic cone dominates the Southern sky line of Christchurch City (largest city in the South Island).
The site is made up of Loessal soils — complex low fertility; windblown glacial eroded greywacke from the Southern Alps. Plantings are exclusively Pinot Noir: Burgundian Dijon clones on low yielding root stock (101–14).
The second vineyard (Kokolo) is situated at the head of the Bay, Lyttelton Harbour some 3km west from the home vineyard. The 4.0 hectare site was close planted in 2003 and is composed of Loessal soils – complex low fertility; windblown glacial eroded greywacke from the Southern Alps. Plantings are Pinot Noir: Burgundian Dijon clones on low yielding root stock (101–14); and Chardonnay.
The Japanese name Kokolo translates to heart and mind. The vineyard was originally planted and owned by a Japanese company from which we took control in late 2012. As the name reflects our attitude to the site and vineyard we have kept it.
CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE
Our cultural perspective on vineyard management is for it to be totally sustainable with a focus on good management practices. In both vineyards we focus on low yielding vines and intensive canopy management techniques – shoot and cluster thinning, lateral removal, extensive leaf plucking — to maximise grape quality.
COMPANY MISSION
To provide STYLISH wines, that are a reflection of — the land and the maritime influence on it — the history of time and process.
With total commitment to QUALITY and to what is good for both body and soul.
A PRODUCT of the synergy of land and sea from whence all life came.
WHISTLING BUOY LABEL
All our premium single vineyard wines are labelled “WHISTLING BUOY” after the marker Buoy between Adderley and Godley Heads which was used to aid navigation into the Port of Lyttelton.
The name of the Buoy came from the fact that as it rose and fell with the swell of the water, air was drawn into its bellows on its ascent and expelled as a whistling sound on its descent.
WHISTLING BUOY WINES
These are exceptional wines from two exceptional vineyards.
Only from exceptional grapes can you get exceptional wines.
WHISTLING BUOY AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
MEDALS
The Pinots have been consistently winning wine awards and accolades. In the most recent Air New Zealand Wine Awards the 2014 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay both won Pure Bronze Medals. Both the 2014 Pinots were awarded medals and the 2014 Chardonnay was second in its class at the WoC Wine Awards. Our Kokolo Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé 2015 won a Silver Medal in the 2015 International Aromatic Wine competition.
"A familiar bouquet with aromas peaches and cream and vanilla with mild oak spices; simple, fruity and fresh. On the palate — fresh, fruity, lively with medium+ acidity and a dry finish; flavours reflect the nose with medium+ weight, a balanced wine in an easy early drinking expression.”
CP Lin said of the 2005 and 2006 half acre Pinot Noir vintages —
“It really gives me shivers. This is what terroir is all about; this wine reflects the area it comes from and I can smell the local hills, the tussock, the grass, the amazing aroma of a Nor’Wester and a hot summer’s day. This wine is a winner!”
After tasting the 2006 vintage, CP went on to state that these were just about the best New Zealand Pinots he had tasted this year, an outstanding compliment to the labour of love of the Pattinsons in nurturing the vines and the skill of winemaker in the vinification process. These are exemplary wines.
Mr Lu, wine writer, at the same tasting commented —
"It is food for thought to ponder the concept of terroir, something long held as the quintessence of successful French wine, here in New Zealand, where it is clear that we should not underrate or undervalue the importance of territory and the capacity for individual plots of land to offer up their own senses of place, expressed and reflected in the wines. It is conceivable, given that we are still a very young winemaking country, that the Cote du Charteris might just be the first of many more north-facing slopes suited to vitis vinifera that will be developed in the years to come."