20-Jun-2017
The Mt Beautiful wine venture of American-based New Zealander David Teece and his wife Leigh began in 2003 when the couple started buying vineyard land near Cheviot in North Canterbury, planting vines from 2004 to establish a new vignoble. Mt Beautiful now has over 70 ha of vines, over half of which are to Sauvignon Blanc, 30% to Pinot Noir, and with smaller plantings of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling. The vineyard proportions are particularly suited for exports to the United States, where most of the production is sold. However, considerable investment continues in New Zealand with the commissioning of an on-site winery for the 2015 vintage, and increased marketing for domestic sales. Sam Weaver has been the winemaker from the start of the venture, and Fin Grieve is the vineyard manager. Here, I review the new 2016 Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and 2015 Pinot Gris. The wines are elegant and restrained in flavour, showing their cool provenance. www.mtbeautiful.co.nz
