{"api":{"host":"https:\/\/pinot.decanter.com","authorization":"Bearer MWJkMDRmOTYyOTg4ODMwMzdiYWJjZDdjNDg0YzdhYzdlOWJkMjlmNDAzMTEzYmFmMWMxNzY3NGE2ZGU5Zjk4MQ","version":"2.0"},"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"6qv8OniKQO","rid":"RJXC8OC","offerId":"OFPHMJWYB8UK","offerTemplateId":"OFPHMJWYB8UK","wcTemplateId":"OTOW5EUWVZ4B"}}

PREMIUM

Bell Hill Vineyard: A Canterbury tale of love, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Inspired by a trip to Burgundy, winemakers Sherwyn Veldhuizen and Marcel Giesen planted a vineyard in a former lime quarry in New Zealand’s Canterbury. Anne Krebiehl MW meets them and tastes a selection of their terroir-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.   

The rocks are snow white. You can crumble them in your hands. The only other place I have come across these is Champagne.

But I am on the other side of the world, in Waikari, North Canterbury, on the former lime quarry that is Bell Hill Vineyard.

The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown here are exceptional. Long-lived, only opening up slowly, exquisitely concentrated yet so lithe, linear, straight and absolutely aromatic; so direct, so bare and yet so beguiling.

The wines reflect not only this poor, almost hostile site but the determination, resilience and beauty of the two people who make them.


Scroll down to see notes and scores for Bell Hill Chardonnay and Pinot Noir



Bell Hill Vineyard: tasting notes


Related articles

Down to earth: Talking Pinot Noir with Sam Neill

Bilancia: The cult winery in search of perfect balance

Mount Langi Ghiran: A masterclass in signature Shiraz

Latest Wine News