2025 Felton Road Block 1 Riesling 750ml

Awards, Ratings & Reviews

94/100 — James Suckling · 2025 Vintage · Tasted: Oct 2025
“A sweet riesling that’s acid-driven as well, giving it lots of sweet fruit and excellent length. Medium-bodied with lots of fresh melon, slice peach and lime flavors. Tangy and sweet finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”

About This Wine

Beginning with meticulous site selection and vineyard design started in 1991, Felton Road's story is one of refusal to compromise. A strict 100% estate policy with fully organic and biodynamic viticulture (Demeter certified) ensures that fruit arrives at the winery as pure as it can be, while the entire estate comes as close to true sustainability as possible. A commitment to hands-off winemaking – gravity flow, wild yeasts, wild malo, and an avoidance of fining and filtration – helps preserve the wine's expression of its terroir. No additions or adjustments are performed unless absolutely necessary.

Since 2002 the vineyards have been managed organically and biodynamically. In 2010 all four vineyards were awarded full Demeter certification and in 2020 they were also certified by BioGro. Pruning is carried out to leave desired bud numbers, ensuring moderate controllable yields and an even, light penetrable canopy. Irrigation is usually necessary during later dry summer months, with soil moisture carefully monitored and water applied only when required. All grapes are carefully hand picked, keeping separate any quality differences within blocks due to clones, rootstocks and viticultural trials.

Riesling from Block 1 was carefully hand-picked followed by whole bunch pressing. The juice was settled overnight followed by a three-week fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Fermentation was stopped by chilling to balance high natural acidity with residual sweetness of 67g/L, resulting in low alcohol of 9.0%. The wine rested on fine lees with minimal processing before bottling in mid-September to highlight delicate Riesling characters.

Specifications

• Vintage: 2025
• Grape Variety: 100% Riesling
• Region: Bannockburn / Central Otago / New Zealand
• Alcohol: 9.0%
• Residual Sugar: 67 g/L
• Sweetness: Medium sweet
• Winemaker: Blair Walter
• Ownership: Nigel Greening
• Closure: Screwcap
• Drinking Window: 2027–2035