La Ferme de Sato Riesling Sato Wine, Yoshi & Kyoko Sato, Central Otago 2023

Sato Wine, Yoshi & Kyoko Sato, Pisa Range, Central Otago

Kyoko and Yoshi met in 1998 at a Japanese bank, where they were working. After 12 years of work at the bank in Tokyo and London, they moved to New Zealand in 2006, aiming eventually to make their own wines and both studied for graduate diploma in viticulture & oenology at Lincoln University in Christchurch. Immediately after graduation, they settled in Central Otago and started their winemaking careers.

La Ferme de Sato refers to the range of small-production wine from 3.2 ha of vineyards. 

Domain Road Vineyard. Soil: Clay loam from the remain of an ancient lake. Viticulture: No pesticides, herbicides, systemic fungicides or inorganic fertilisers used. Harvest: Hand picked. 22 & 27 April 2023. Vinification: 85% whole bunch press & 15% macerated on skins. Natural yeast fermentation in stainless steel tanks mainly and oak barrels. 15 mg/L sulphites added. 0.3 g/L residual sugar. Maturation: 9 months in s/s tanks and old oak barrels. Bottled: 26 February 2024 without fining or filtration. 4597 bottles produced

Very dry, showing dried apples and pears with some ginseng character. Spicy too. Medium-bodied, it has more dried fruit on the palate and a dried-ginger finish. Flint and matchstick at the end.

Grape: 100% Riesling

Organic