The Donaldson family has been deeply involved in the wine industry since the early 1970s, pioneering local grape growing and winemaking. Ivan Donaldson, an Associate Professor and Consultant Neurologist, developed an interest in wine when his then-girlfriend, Christine, gave him a book titled “Wine.”
The first vineyard started as a hobby, with Ivan making wine in the garage at home on weekends. He managed this in between seeing patients at his private practice in the evenings and after his shifts at the public hospital.
Today, Pegasus Bay is one of the most recognised and respected producers, proudly remaining entirely family-owned.
The vineyard is situated within the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury, on free-draining, north-facing terraces. It benefits from being sheltered by the Teviotdale Range, which offers maximum protection from the Pacific’s easterly breezes, thereby creating a unique mesoclimate. The vines, many of which are over 30 years old and planted on their own roots, are located on the “Glasnevin Gravels,” where greywacke stones, silt, and loam have been deposited from the mountains over millennia. The low-fertility soil naturally reduces vine vigor, leading to low yields of optimally ripened, high-quality, flavorful grapes that fully express the vineyard’s unique terroir. The vineyard experiences warm days but has some of the coolest nights in the Waipara Valley, which extends the ripening period of the grapes while maintaining good natural acidity.
Bel Canto Riesling opens up with a vibrant blend of sweet and sour aromas gush from the glass, featuring pineapple, mango, and orange blossom initially, with hints of quince, kumquat, calamansi, and a touch of wet river gravel. The mouthfeel is generous yet precise, with a rich, textured palate supported by a lively acidity and ripe phenolics that provide structure and length, leading to a long, moreish finish.
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