Pyramid Valley

Pyramid Valley is a celebrated winery with a history rooted in North Canterbury and a modern presence that has expanded to Central Otago. Known for its profound, terroir-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the winery's philosophy is deeply intertwined with biodynamic viticulture and a belief that wine should be a pure reflection of its place.

History

Pyramid Valley's story began in 2000 when Mike and Claudia Elze Weersing, after a long search for the perfect site, purchased a plot of land near Waikari in North Canterbury. They were drawn to the unique combination of limestone and clay soils and the high altitude of the slopes. With Claudia's commitment to biodynamics and Mike's winemaking experience from Burgundy, they set about creating a "genie in a bottle"—wines that were an unfiltered, unadulterated expression of their environment. The winery quickly gained a reputation for its powerful, elegant, and often wild-tasting wines.

In 2017, the winery was purchased by friends Steve Smith MW and Brian Sheth, who were committed to continuing the legacy of high-quality, biodynamic winemaking. This new chapter saw a significant expansion of the Pyramid Valley story. In 2018, they purchased the Mānatu Estate in Lowburn, Central Otago, a vineyard with some of the region's oldest vines. This acquisition allowed them to apply their biodynamic principles to another distinct terroir, creating a portfolio of wines that express the unique characteristics of both North Canterbury and Central Otago.

Biography

  • Mike and Claudia Elze Weersing (Founders): The original visionaries who established Pyramid Valley. Claudia was a committed biodynamicist, and Mike, with his winemaking background in Burgundy, created a precise and spectacular winemaking practice. They set the foundation for the winery's philosophy of making wines that "breathe of their place."

  • Steve Smith MW and Brian Sheth (Owners): The current owners who purchased the winery in 2017. Steve Smith is a Master of Wine and has a formidable reputation in the New Zealand wine industry, having been a founder of Craggy Range. Brian Sheth is an investor and conservationist. Together, they are expanding the Pyramid Valley legacy.

  • Huw Kinch (Winemaker and Estate Manager): Since 2018, Huw Kinch has been the driving force behind the new chapter of Pyramid Valley. He brings a decade of experience crafting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Martinborough and is responsible for guiding the winery's next evolution.

Technical Details

Pyramid Valley's technical approach is deeply rooted in a natural, holistic philosophy that guides both their viticulture and winemaking.

  • Viticulture:

    • Certified Biodynamic: The vineyards in both North Canterbury and Central Otago are Demeter-certified biodynamic. This farming system goes beyond organic, treating the entire estate as a single, self-sustaining organism.

    • Soil and Terroir: The winery has two key terroirs:

      • Waikari Estate, North Canterbury: Characterized by steep, north and east-facing slopes with a unique mix of limestone and clay soils. These soils give the wines a distinct minerality and structure.

      • Mānatu Estate, Central Otago: Home to some of the region's oldest vines, with soils rich in natural humus and organic matter from over 150 years of cultivation.

    • Handcrafted Approach: All vineyard work, from pruning to harvesting, is done by hand to ensure the highest quality fruit and to maintain the health of the vines.

  • Winemaking:

    • Natural and Low-Intervention: The winemaking process is designed to be as "hands-off" as possible, allowing the unique character of the vineyard to come through.

    • Wild Yeast Fermentation: Fermentation is carried out using indigenous yeasts, which naturally occur on the grapes and in the cellar.

    • Minimal Additives: The wines are made without fining or filtration, and sulfur is only added at a minimum when necessary.

    • Aging: Wines are aged in a combination of old, neutral oak barrels and sometimes clay amphorae, to allow for a gentle evolution without imparting new oak flavors.

    • Origin Verification: Pyramid Valley has partnered with Oritain to scientifically verify the origin of some of its wines, providing a proven link between the finished wine and the specific vineyard block it came from.