…Applause, please, for a new entrant in the world of wine. Misha’s Vineyard has one of the most beautiful sites in the country. ..Perched on the edge of Lake Dunstan, the 57ha estate is in the Bendigo sub-region of Central Otago. “When we held our ceremony at the beginning of our vineyard planting, we buried Chinese gold coins underneath the first eight vines to bring us luck,” says co-owner Misha Wilkinson.
It’s working. The launch of the vineyard coincided with a gold medal for Misha’s 2008 Gewurztraminer at last year’s Air New Zealand Wine Awards.
The Wilkinsons spent much of their working life in Asia and establishing this vineyard is the fulfilment of a long-held dream. They’ve managed to snare an impressive team, including high-profile viticulturalist Robin Dicey and Pinot Noir specialist Olly Masters. To date, along with the Gewurztraminer there’s a Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. Tough time to get started, but fortune favours the brave. Recommended. 2008 Misha’s Vineyard “The Gallery” Gewurztraminer. Nicely balanced and understated with intense aromas of mango and pink grapefruit. Off dry, subtle. No wonder the judges loved it.
2007 Misha’s Vineyard ‘The Audition’ Pinot Noir . Only 100 cases made. Raspberry and red fruit with hint of oak, earth and liquorice. Wonderful maturity for 3-year-old vines.
