Coal Pit Vineyard covers 12 hectares of land in the heart of Gibbston. The vineyard is planted with 7 hectares of Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc vines that date back to 1994, some of the oldest in Gibbston. The vineyard is planted on the glacially formed schist based soils, with a mix of clones for added complexity and balance. Coal Pit typically yields intensely aromatic wines with strong minerality and is run in accordance with the proactive environmental management programme, Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand. Coal Pit is one of the few single vineyards in Gibbston where the grapes are grown, handpicked and crafted into wines on site. They are currently part way through their BioGro organic conversion and will be fully certified by 2023.
Owner Rosie Dunphy made the decision to construct a 30 tonne winery in 2007 which was integral in shifting the boutique vineyard’s focus towards premium quality, allowing complete control from vine to wine. The winery comprises a cellar door, a temperature and humidity controlled barrel room, laboratory, meeting rooms and winemaker’s accommodation.
The Coal Pit wines have long been recognised internationally, with the most recent accolades received for the 2018 ‘Tiwha’ Pinot Noir at the 2020 International Wine Challenge; notably being awarded Sustainable & New Zealand Red Trophies. Anika Willner became winemaker in 2018 and is the driving force behind the decision for organic conversion. She’s also tipped as one of New Zealand’s Young Winemakers to Watch!
