Akarua NV Brut (Central Otago)

Building a wine business for the love of the land is not undertaken for immediate rewards; it requires skill, patience and commitment before recompense, but then the Skeggs family has never shied from long term investments. They purchased their first vineyard in Bannockburn in Central Otago in 1996 and founded Akarua, however it wasn’t until 2009 that they initiated the sparkling wine programme. Bringing it to life required a further step up in commitment, so for technical expertise they engaged the late Dr Tony Jordan, one of the world’s most renowned sparkling wine experts. “It was a real leap of faith and one that could not have been achieved without the expertise of our partner, Dr Tony Jordan, who founded and guided the programme until his untimely recent passing, ” says Kathryn Petit, General Manager of Akarua.

Growing success
Expanding their vineyard holdings has enabled the winery to meet the demands of growth while building the sparkling base wine programme and remaining 100% estate grown. The vineyards have been carefully developed and sensitively farmed with 82 distinct parcels identified. This dedication is certainly paying off with Akarua claiming both the first and the second position in this tasting. Crisp and fresh with a delicate bubble this wine is precise with a focussed and elegant structure. The complex flavours of ripe citrus, stone fruits, honey and toast are creamy yet beautifully balanced.

• Sparkling
• Central Otago - New Zealand
• NZ $35
• 
• Cellar: 2 year(s)
top 5
• View the full Sparkling 2019 tasting results