Kumeu River Kumeu Village Hand Harvested Pinot Noir

The Kumeu River Wines estate, established in 1944, was founded by Mick Brajkovich, his wife Kate, and their son Mate. The winery is now managed by Mate and his wife, Melba, and their children, Marijana, Michael, Milan and Paul. Marijana manages the financial and accounting side of the business, Milan oversees vineyard management and viticulture, Paul runs sales and marketing, and, finally, Michael is the winemaker. Through trial and error, Michael has developed a technique that includes wild yeast fermentation, whole cluster pressing, minimal use of new oak, and malolactic fermentation. He then ages the wine in the barrel sur lie. Kumeu River is also the first winery in New Zealand to bottle exclusively in screw cap closures.

FOOD PAIRINGS: fish, light meats, pasta with vinegar-based sauces; gouda, aged soft cheeses