It would be impossible to discuss the great Pinot Noir without bringing up the man, the legend Larry McKenna. Known as 'Mr Pinot'. Though Adelaide-born, he's been spending the last 30+ years forging his reputation as one of New Zealand's greatest winemakers. He began his journey at Martinborough vineyards in the 1980s, and famously won a place in the Top 20 Pinot Noirs of the World with his 1998 Martinborough Reserve Pinot Noir.
In 1998 he founded Escarpment and crafts wines there with utmost attention to quality. Yields from his close-planted vines produce a tiny 1kg of fruit per vine - literally only 1 bottle per plant. He crafts an estate Pinot Noir and a thoroughly impressive range of single vineyard Pinots when vintage conditions meet his increasingly high standards.
His deft touch with Martinborough fruit, not limited to Pinot Noir, extends to Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Riesling.
