Saint Clair Family Estate is excited to announce the launch of our first-ever Pioneer Block Pinot Noir Rosé. Perfect as an aperitif or matched with fresh fish and summer salads, this wine was made to share with friends and family this summer.
A New Kind of Rosé for Saint Clair
This new Rosé strengthens and diversifies the Saint Clair range of wines even further, and shows the commitment to continuous development. Managing Director Julie Ibbotson says that “this wine aligns with our mission of creating world-class wines that exceed our customers’ every expectation”.
This introduction is an exciting new addition to the existing Saint Clair catalogue, with our other Rosé wines, the Origin Rosé, and Vicar’s Choice Bright Light Rosé being made from Pinot Gris grapes. On this addition, winemaker Kyle Thompson said that “our focus was to make a complex delicious Rosé worthy of Pioneer block status that is elegant and easy drinking. It’s also slightly lower in alcohol (11.5%) and very low in natural residual sugars.”
The Pioneer Block Range
Saint Clair Pioneer Block wines are only produced in the best vintage conditions for each variety, comprising small-parcel wines that are handcrafted to reflect the influence of the terroir. The subtle stylistic differences in the wines reflect both the terroir and the individual nature of the winemaking.
The Pioneer Block Rosé “started with pristine fruit from a single vineyard and was meticulously crafted by our winemaking team. The wine is outstanding and fits perfectly within our Pioneer Block range” Julie adds.
This particular Pioneer Block wine is perfect for drinking immediately, and the aromatic delicate floral notes of rose petals laced with ripe strawberry punnet will be at their best now and over the next two years.
The Making of the Pinot Noir Rosé
The Pinot Noir grapes for this wine were specifically selected from a single vineyard block at our Vineyard Kitchen site. Winemaker Kyle noted, “this vineyard is well suited to the flavour profiles we were looking for, mainly in the ripe raspberry spectrum.” Once at optimum ripeness and flavour intensity, they were machine harvested in the cool of the nighttime, to retain as much fresh fruit flavour as possible.
When making the wine, Kyle “used traditional Rosé making methods by holding the grapes in the press and achieving colour through gentle skin contact”. The juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks, at cooler temperatures, in order to retain the maximum aroma, fruity flavours, and freshness. It was also kept on lees to enhance its texture. “We lightly pressed the wine using press cuts aiming to get as little phenolics in the wine as possible, so no fining needed, making this wine vegan friendly” he adds.
Saint Clair Family Estate is excited to share this new Pioneer Block Rosé with you, winemaker Kyle noting “we’re very happy with the end result – a delicate pretty wine ready for the summer months.” Julie added that the wine was made “only in small quantities for the wine consumer that is seeking a wine to share at a special occasion with family and friends or simply enjoy out on the deck on a warm summer day.”
Cheers to a summer full of sunshine hours and delicious Saint Clair Rosé!
