2021 Amoise Cabernet Franc

WINEMAKER: Amy Farnsworth
REGION: Hawkes Bay, NZ
VARIETAL: Cabernet Franc
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic

TK Vineyard, Bridge Pa, Hawke’s Bay. 26 years old vines. Red metal alluvial soils, some of the oldest in the Heretaunga Plains. Bunches are destemmed and lightly foot plunged during fermentation. Three weeks maceration time for a soft and gentle extraction. Pressed into neutral older oak barrels with maturation for 7 months. Dark and inky with raspberry leaf aromas, brambles and blueberries. Medium bodied palate, finishing with satisfying crunchy acid.

Canadian winemaker Amy Farnsworth has walked a well beaten path from hospitality to wine retail, to WSET Diploma and then wine distribution, and finally winemaking. A bottle of 1971 JJ Prum Spatlese Riesling from the Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard along the way was a real lightbulb moment. At the time Amy was working with the biggest biodynamic portfolio in Canada, sewing the seeds for her “All-in approach” with biodynamics in the vineyard.

Much travel ensued with 17 vintages across 6 countries, including two important years in Burgundy (where she obtained a Diploma in Viticulture & Winemaking in Beaune). Finally landing in Hawke’s Bay, NZ, Amoise was launched in 2018. Following a strict winemaking philosophy: only organic fruit, zero additions in the winery and no sulphur, her process requires complete dedication and attention to detail with no compromise when it comes to canopy management, fruit quality and winery hygiene.