2025 Pegasus Bay Riesling, Waipara

Pegasus Bay Riesling is one of New Zealand’s great benchmarks for the variety, combining generosity, precision and remarkable ageing ability. Grown in the Waipara Valley in North Canterbury, the vineyards sit in a cool, dry environment with limestone rich soils and strong diurnal shifts. Warm days build flavour, cold nights preserve acidity, and the long growing season allows Riesling to ripen slowly and evenly. The result is a wine of clarity, tension and expressive depth.

Pegasus Bay is a family owned estate founded by the Donaldson family, with a deep commitment to site expression and low intervention winemaking. Riesling has always been at the heart of the estate’s identity and is handled with the same seriousness as their flagship Pinot Noir. The style typically balances ripe fruit with a touch of residual sweetness, held in check by vibrant acidity, creating a wine that feels generous yet impeccably balanced.

Aromatically, the wine is lifted and layered. Lime zest, lemon curd and green apple sit alongside white peach, jasmine and subtle honeyed notes. With time in the glass, more complex characters emerge. Wet stone, citrus blossom and a faint petrol nuance hint at its ageing potential without dominating.

On the palate, the wine is beautifully composed. Juicy citrus and stone fruit lead, followed by a gentle sweetness that is immediately countered by bright, mouthwatering acidity. The texture is silky rather than sharp, and there is a clear mineral line running through the wine that gives length and focus. The finish is long, clean and resonant, echoing lime, floral notes and a delicate savoury edge.

This is an exceptionally versatile wine at the table. It shines with spicy Asian cuisine, seafood, pork dishes or anything that benefits from a balance of sweetness and acidity. While it is delicious in its youth, Pegasus Bay Riesling is also famous for its longevity and will comfortably age for fifteen to twenty years, developing classic toasty, honeyed and petrol complexity while retaining its vibrant core.

Pegasus Bay Riesling is confident, expressive and beautifully balanced, a reference point for New Zealand Riesling and a wine that continues to reward patience and attention.