2023 Main Divide Pinot Noir, Waipara

Mid-ruby in the glass with aromas of red cherry, dark plum, raspberry and blackcurrant fruits, with hints of brown spice, mountain herbs, dried meats, wildflowers, barrel spice, undergrowth and earth. Medium weight, with a touch of smoky oak suffusing through the dark fruits on the palate. Fine, silty tannins and a medium-length finish. Drink to 2032.

92 points & Special Value Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion, September 2026

Main Divide Pinot Noir from Waipara is one of the best value expressions of North Canterbury Pinot, shaped by the Donaldson family’s thoughtful winemaking and the region’s limestone rich soils. Waipara’s long autumns, cool nights and dry climate give Pinot Noir aromatic lift, fine tannin and natural concentration. Main Divide draws fruit from multiple sites across the valley, combining a mix of whole berry and whole bunch ferments with maturation in seasoned French oak. The style is vibrant, gently spicy and unmistakably Waipara, offering more depth and personality than its modest price suggests.

The perfume opens with red cherry, raspberry and strawberry, followed by rose petals, cranberry and a gentle herbal lift that speaks to the valley’s thyme scented hillsides. Underneath the fruit sit subtle earthy notes of forest floor, dried leaves and a whisper of smoke. With time in the glass, the wine shows more spice clove, cinnamon, cocoa and hints of orange peel.

The palate is silky and bright with juicy red fruits flowing across soft, lightly grainy tannins. Flavours of cherry skin, pomegranate and redcurrant merge with savoury hints of tea leaf and spice. Fresh acidity keeps the wine lively and gives the finish a long, clean glide with subtle earth and mineral echoes. It drinks beautifully now, though a few years in the cellar will bring added savoury depth and autumnal nuance.

Excellent with duck, mushroom risotto, roast chicken, chargrilled salmon, beetroot dishes, lamb koftas or soft earthy cheeses. A consistently reliable and characterful Pinot Noir that captures the charm and individuality of Waipara.