All wines that carry this label are subject to two strict criteria: they have to be sourced from vineyards situated in a very specific area – Bannockburn, south of the Kawarau River – and they are to be managed by the Mt Difficulty viticulture team. The reasons for these self-imposed constraints are that we believe this to be an area with very special qualities for growing grapes, and that the management of the vineyard is reflected in the quality of the ultimate product.
Growers Series
As the Growers Series label has continued to evolve, we have elevated the status of these exciting wines from across the various sub-regions of Cromwell Basin, to now permanently sit under our Single Vineyard label.
The grapes for the wines that carry the Mt Difficulty label were traditionally strictly sourced from vineyards situated on the South side of the Kawarau River in Bannockburn. The Growers Series was the beginning of our expansion beyond Bannockburn, and first appeared in 2011, with the release of Mt Difficulty Growers Series, Packspur, Pinot Noir 2009. The label allowed us to showcase the terroir of different sub-regions of Central Otago, the first of which was Lowburn Valley. This unique area is situated on the northern side of Cromwell, as opposed to Bannockburn to the South.
Other wines from the Growers Series have followed as we have explored the sub regions of the Cromwell Basin; with releases from Silver Tussock and Station Block vineyards on the Tinwald Burn; as well as east across the Clutha River to Bendigo, on the elevated Chinamans Terrace.
Mt Difficulty Single Vineyard wines are a celebration of time and place.
Since 2000 we have been renowned for the Single Vineyard wines we create from our original four vineyards along Felton Road in Bannockburn, some of the oldest sites in Central Otago; these vineyards are Long Gully, Target Gully, Pipeclay Terrace and Mansons Farm.
In 2009 an opportunity came to include a vineyard in Lowburn Valley, of which we now have two; Packspur and McFelin Ridge. On Tinwald Burn, further north from Lowburn on the Pisa Range, we had an inaugural release in 2014 from Station Block, and in 2016 from Silver Tussock.
We have explored east across the Clutha River in recent vintages; from an elevated site in Bendigo on Chinaman’s Terrace we composed a 'one-time-only' wine in 2015, however, since 2016, the Ghost Town vineyard has been a permanent addition. West through to Gibbston, also since 2016, we have been fortunate to make wine from Havoc Farm, a vineyard which carries history from the early days of Central Otago’s planting.
With variations in soils, microclimates and grape clones the sites each have significantly different features. Our philosophy with these Single Vineyard wines is to display the characteristics that are particular to their terroir, thus each Single Vineyard wine tells the unique story of its own place.
Roaring Meg
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OUR WINE CLUBS
Mt Difficulty.
THE PINOT NOIR CLUB
Membership of The Pinot Club is strictly limited and will appeal to those who aspire to excellence. Members receive three deliveries annually, made up of both current and libraryMt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Noir, as well as limited release Single Vineyard Bannockburn and Growers Series Pinot Noirs.
On signing up to the Pinot Club new members receive a pair of Riedel Central Otago Pinot Noir glasses. At Christmas time, New Zealand members are sent a gift of a magnum of Mt Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Noir. International members receive discounted shipping in lieu of a magnum. Among other things, the benefits of membership include special ‘club-member only’ prices for any additional wine purchased from us via the website or Cellar Door, and preferential invitations to events at Mt Difficulty Wines.
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THE MAILING LIST
As a member of our Mailing List you'll receive an occasional email from us letting you know about special offers, new releases and newsworthy events. We also run one or two telephone promotions annually. You may opt out of these if you prefer not to be contacted by telephone.Our Mailing List is FREE TO JOIN and members receive special ‘member only’ prices for all wine purchases. Freight free delivery within New Zealand applies to orders of a case or more placed on our website or at our Cellar Door.
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