12-Dec-2014
Although Denny Downie and Jane Gill sold their vineyard and property at the end of Felton Road in Bannockburn to Sam Neill of Two Paddocks at the start of this year, their ‘Desert Heart’ label continues. Denny and Jane still have commercial stocks of wine including that from the 2013 vintage and earlier. They recently announced that they have purchased another piece of land on Felton Road, so are clearly still resident in Bannockburn with the intention to continue their business. With contacts for contract fruit in the district and winemaking continuing at their friends, Steve Green and Barbara Robertson’s nearby Carrick winery, there’s still a bright future for Desert Heart wines. One particularly encouraging result has been the success of Denny and Jane’s flagship ‘Mackenzies Run’ Pinot Noir 2013 winning a gold medal at this year’s Air New Zealand Wine Awards. I review that wine here along with the 2011 Riesling which has come available. www.desertheart.co.nz
