Sourced close to the sea in the Awatere Valley, hand picked and whole cluster pressed, the 2007 Ward Farm Pinot Gris has a beguiling nose of rosewater and pear drops and a delicate palate with hints of wild strawberry on the finish – a lovely Pinot Gris that demonstrates what this somewhat maligned grape can achieve. Respected winemaker Brian Bicknell established Mahi (meaning “our work, our craft”) in 2001 having made wine at Errazuriz in Chile and then undertaking much consultancy work in Marlborough in the late 1990’s, including Seresin amongst others. He first acquired the 1.5 hectares Byrne vineyard containing Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, his approach to make a natural, “hands-off” style of wine and in 2003 he began sourcing fruit from the Twins Vineyard in the Wairau Valley planted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. But it was not until he resigned his consultancy commitments in 2006 that he could devote himself fully to Mahi. These are exciting wines crafted by a man with great experience. Importer: Vine Street Imports, Philadelphia, PA; tel. (215) 533-9463; fax (215) 533-8163