Neck Of The Woods Master Abel Pinot Noir

Aromas of plum, dark cherry, red liquorice and rosemary, followed by the addition of raspberry and cassis on the palate. This wine exudes elegance with persistent bright red fruit, fine tannins and enduring freshness.

The goal of the team at Neck of the Woods is to make authentic wines that harness the weird and wild of Central Otago, staying true to the land with minimal intervention winemaking.

Winemaker Jen Parr moved from Oregon to Central Otago in 2007, with extensive experience across USA, France, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand already under her belt. In 2018, Jen was awarded the Winemaker of the Year at the NZ International Aromatic Competition.

This red wine is a tribute to an unlikely founding father of New Zealand Pinot Noir. Back in the 70s, a crafty Kiwi traveller returning from France tried to smuggle in a small cutting of vine. Sadly for him, an eager customs officer, and aspiring wine maker, named Malcom Abel confiscated it. The cutting had been stolen from Domaine de la Romanee Conti in Burgundy. Abel recognised its significance right away and paid for it to be put through quarantine. A few months later, the cutting was released. Abel planted his prized Pinot clone, and died shortly after. But his legend lives on, as the Abel clone, now makes up a large portion of New Zealand Pinot Noir.