2021 Bryterlater Yonder Syrah
WINEMAKER: James Graves Opie
VARIETAL: Syrah
REGION: North Canterbury, NZ
VITICULTURE: Organic
Handpicked Syrah split into two portions: one undergoing carbonic maceration, the other crushed for wild fermentation. Crushed portion saw gentle daily pump-overs and 2 weeks of post-fermentation maceration for a total of 6 weeks on skins before basket pressing to old oak barrels for 11 month maturation on lees. Bottled unfined & unfiltered. Blackberry. Tamarillo. Violet. Aniseed. Fennel Flowers. Fine tannins.
"The concept for the label came to me whilst listening to 'Bryter Layter' by Nick Drake, winding through the Tasmanian countryside in my big ol' Volvo during harvest. The album is very ethereal & whimsical, it still transports me back to that place today. This is the feeling a wine can achieve with patience and poise, thus leaving the drinker feeling brighter and more content on imbibing...
"...Our vineyards in North Canterbury are farmed organically. Working with what different seasons and sites deliver each year guides our process. We use manual methods and work with small volumes.
Our winemaking is about bottling something that is the truest statement of itself and the place it comes from - however long that takes. We focus on capturing the energy of the vineyard, work thoughtfully in the winery, and move with the vibration of the emerging wine, then release it when it’s ready."