2020 Hans Herzog Pinot Gris, Marlborough

Hans Herzog’s Pinot Gris from Marlborough is a rare gem, made by one of New Zealand’s most uncompromising and adventurous winemakers. Swiss-born Hans Herzog and his wife Therese established their estate in Marlborough after a long winemaking history in Switzerland, bringing with them a passion for crafting wines with Old World finesse and New World expression. Unlike many producers in Marlborough who focus heavily on Sauvignon Blanc, Herzog has built a reputation for growing and vinifying a wide range of varieties, often in tiny quantities, and treating them with the same reverence usually reserved for Grand Cru bottlings in Europe.

The Pinot Gris is a true expression of this philosophy. The fruit comes from the Herzog estate vineyard in the Wairau Valley, where the vines are tended organically and yields are deliberately kept low to ensure concentration and depth. Hand-picked, the grapes are whole-bunch pressed and often given extended lees contact, with partial barrel fermentation in French oak to build texture and complexity. This hands-on, artisanal approach results in a wine that is worlds apart from the lighter, more commercial Pinot Gris styles.

In the glass, it is rich and layered, offering aromas of ripe pear, quince, baked apple, honeysuckle, and a touch of spice. The palate has a generous, almost Alsatian weight, with silky texture balanced by a fine line of acidity that keeps it vibrant. Subtle oak adds a creamy, nutty undertone without overwhelming the purity of fruit. It is a wine made for the table, pairing beautifully with dishes like pork belly, roasted poultry, spiced Moroccan tagines, or creamy mushroom risotto.

Hans Herzog wines are known for their longevity, and this Pinot Gris is no exception. It can be enjoyed young for its aromatic lift, but will develop further layers of honeyed richness and savoury depth with five to eight years in the cellar.