12 January 2015

Olssen's Pinotage is No More

Olssen's Vineyard in Bannockburn, part of New Zealand's Central Otago wine region, (the world's most southerly) has changed ownership and their small planting of Pinotage vines has been uprooted.

As reported in my book, Heather and John Ollsen had seven rows of Pinotage planted on their own roots -- the South Island is mostly phylloxera free -- which was made into a  three-way blend with 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah called Robert the Bruce.

The property, which changed hands in 2011 has been renamed Terra Sancta and the last Pinotage blend was the Terra Sancta Mysterious Red 2011 vintage. None is left at the winery. I am looking for it in wine shops, but with little hope.

Terra Sancta tell me they do intend planting three new varieties, including Dolcetto and Tempranillo to make a  Mysterious Red blend in the future. But Pinotage is not in their plans.

No comments:

Post a Comment