Bright spots in challenging years for Nelson winery
Despite the turmoil of COVID-induced staff shortages, unusual weather events, long work days and sleepless nights, the team at Brightwater Vineyards have managed to produce a gorgeous 2022 vintage. Read about Neil Hodgson’s key picks from their wines, and how they overcame the challenges to produce them.
Read our summary below and view the full article on Stuff.
Gary and Valley Neale of Brightwater Vineyards.
Article by Neil Hodgson, published by Stuff on 14 September 2022.
The 2022 wine grape harvest resulted in a fantastic vintage in the Nelson region, and the talented team at Brightwater Vineyards have produced some outstanding wines once again.
The Covid-influenced last two years has thrown up lots of challenges other than weather events, including severe worker shortages in the horticulture sector. Gary and Valley Neale from Brightwater Vineyards have dealt with the same struggles as every other business in the region.
During these changing times Brightwater Vineyards have managed to produce some outstanding wines and Valley sent me some samples to try. Here’s my thoughts on a couple of the wines made by new winemaker Steve from the final grapes grown by Dale.
2022 Brightwater Vineyards Nelson Pinot Gris
This is a richly scented and flavoured mouth-filling wine, bursting with flavours of fresh pears and ginger-like spice when you first taste it, but it has a delicious, juicy, yellow peach character in the long finish. The palate richness is balanced beautifully with that hint of ginger and just the right amount of fresh acidity. This is a balanced and nuanced wine with layers of flavour making it a serious Pinot Gris. While it is easy to drink on its own it deserves to be paired with food. Outstanding and 5 stars from me.
2022 Brightwater Vineyards Sophie’s Kiss Rose
Blush salmon pink in colour with aromas of berries and cream and a touch of river-stone minerality this is another mouth-filling wine bursting with flavour and elegantly balanced with spice and acidity, a wine you will want ‘just one more glass of please’. Delicious by itself or enjoy it this summer with lunch in the sun or around the BBQ. 4.5 stars.