New Release Felton Roads Benchmark 2024s

Felton Road? owner Nigel Greening was effusive in his praise for the 2024 vintage in Central Otago, referring to it as a “benchmark year”. He explained in characteristic easy-going fashion that it was one of those vintages where “not a lot happened!” This makes it easy to make the right calls all the way through the season and, as always, focus entirely on the health of their fully organic and biodynamic vineyards – to a level that results in the highest viticulture costs of any wine producer in New Zealand.

At just over 30ha in size, they are proudly a “no growth” company, maximising their positive impact on the environment by working to a rigorous set of principles, in turn producing complex, ageworthy wines. Appetising savoury characteristics and an unusual sense of mineral freshness compliment the natural perfume and supple fruit profile of the Central Otago region, the world’s southernmost growing zone.

December through to the end of February (the key ripening months) were calm, dry and warm, setting the scene for a 2024 vintage with excellent concentration levels and judicious yields. Cool nights arrived in March, perfect for retaining acidity and freshness. Harvest was a leisurely affair, concluding on 19th April. Long sunshine hours, low levels of rainfall and no excessive heat spikes have conspired to produce a stunning range of wines that will delight followers of this great estate.

Please note that the Block 5 Pinot Noir, Block 2 Chardonnay and Block 6 Chardonnay are due to be delivered to us in early December 2025 and will be invoiced separately.