{"title":"Maude | Central Otago","description":"\u003cp\u003eMaude is a small, site-driven producer based in Central Otago — New Zealand's southernmost wine region and one of the world's most distinctive cool-climate appellations. Founded by Sarah-Kate and Michael Eder, the estate draws fruit from four sub-districts across the region: Gibbston Valley, Bendigo, Lowburn and Wanaka. Each site contributes distinct character to the wines, unified by Central Otago's dramatic diurnal temperature variation, schist-based soils and intense UV light at altitude.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Maude Matters\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMaude is one of Central Otago's most respected small producers — a winery that has built its reputation on restraint, precision and a genuine understanding of place. Rather than sourcing from a single estate, Maude works with carefully selected sites across the region's most important sub-districts, blending them to express the diversity of Central Otago through a consistent house style. The result is wines that combine freshness, purity of fruit and balance, making them approachable when young while retaining the structure that cool-climate wine lovers value.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe winery takes its name from Mt Maude, which rises to 1,315 metres above the Wanaka sub-district at 45° South — a reference point that captures both the altitude and the latitude that define Central Otago's character as a wine region.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eThe Wines\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePinot Gris\u003c\/strong\u003e — Maude's white wine benchmark. A dry, textural style combining 40% French oak barrel fermentation with stainless steel to balance richness and aromatic freshness. Quince, pear, musk and stone fruit with almond meal and spice from oak. Full-bodied and layered, with the natural acidity that Central Otago's cool growing seasons consistently deliver.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePinot Noir\u003c\/strong\u003e — Central Otago's signature variety and the foundation of Maude's red wine range. The region's schist soils, altitude and diurnal temperature variation produce Pinot Noir of genuine depth and cool-climate precision — dark cherry, red berry and subtle earth, with fine tannin structure and the freshness that has made Central Otago one of the world's great Pinot Noir regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMaude \u0026amp; Central Otago\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCentral Otago is New Zealand's only continental wine region — a landlocked, high-altitude landscape of schist rock, tussock grassland and glacial lakes in the South Island's interior. The region's extreme diurnal temperature variation, with warm days and cold nights throughout the growing season, is the defining force behind its wines: slow, even ripening that builds flavour concentration without sacrificing freshness or natural acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe four sub-districts represented in Maude's wines — Gibbston Valley, Bendigo, Lowburn and Wanaka — each sit within this broader framework but express it differently. Gibbston Valley is the coolest and most elevated, producing wines of exceptional finesse. Bendigo delivers concentration and structure from its north-facing schist terraces. Lowburn contributes aromatic intensity. Wanaka, at the foot of Mt Maude, adds freshness and purity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBest For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCasual dining and weeknight enjoyment. Dinner parties and summer entertaining. Lovers of cool-climate Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris seeking an authentic taste of Central Otago.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"maude-wines-pinot-noir-2025-central-otago","title":"Maude Wines Pinot Noir 2025 | Central Otago","description":"\u003cp\u003eMaude Wines Pinot Noir 2025 is a multi-site Central Otago Pinot Noir drawing from four named sub-districts: Mohawk Hill (Lowburn), Felton Terraces (Bannockburn), Rafters Road (Gibbston Valley) and Poison Creek (Queensberry). Dark cherry and wild blackberry define this brooding expression, with hints of bramble and smoke adding aromatic complexity. Fine, graphite-textured tannins bring structure to a plush, generous palate leading to a long finish. The 2025 vintage — shaped by a late frost that reduced the crop by 30% — delivered small, concentrated berries of exceptional purity and varietal clarity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNose\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDark cherry, wild blackberry, bramble and smoke. Brooding and perfumed with genuine aromatic complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePalate\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlush and generous with dark cherry and wild blackberry fruit. Fine, graphite-textured tannins bring structure and a quietly powerful character. Long, persistent finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWinemaking\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMulti-site blend: Mohawk Hill (Lowburn) 39%, Felton Terraces (Bannockburn) 31%, Rafters Road (Gibbston Valley) 16%, Poison Creek (Queensberry) 10%. Clones 115, 5, 667 and Abel. Harvested 27 March – 16 April 2025. Bottled 25 February 2026. Screwcap. 3,000 dozen produced.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eVineyard \u0026amp; Region\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCentral Otago multi-site blend from four sub-districts. Each site contributes distinct character, unified by the region’s dramatic diurnal temperature range and ancient schist-based soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eVintage Conditions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVintage 2025 began with a late frost causing 30% crop loss. From flowering, warm days and cool nights encouraged slow, even ripening. Harvest ran 27 March – 16 April, slightly later than recent years, delivering pristine, concentrated fruit with vibrant acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCellaring\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrink from 2025 to 2032. Approachable now but will reward 3–5 years in bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maude Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48830577639673,"sku":"9421902756122-2025","price":38.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0633\/6820\/0441\/files\/maude-wines-pinot-noir-2025-central-otago.webp?v=1786935819"},{"product_id":"maude-wines-pinot-gris-2026-central-otago","title":"Maude Wines Pinot Gris 2026 | Central Otago","description":"\u003cp\u003eMaude Wines Pinot Gris 2026 is a dry, textural Pinot Gris from Central Otago, New Zealand. Sourced from four sub-districts — Gibbston Valley, Bendigo, Lowburn and Wanaka — the wine combines the region's natural concentration and dramatic day-to-night temperature variation with the freshness and aromatic precision that defines Maude's white wine style. The 2026 vintage was one of Central Otago's coolest and latest in recent memory, delivering fruit of exceptional purity and vibrant natural acidity. Forty percent of the juice was fermented in seasoned French oak barriques for texture and complexity; the remainder in stainless steel to preserve the variety's bright aromatics. The result is a full-bodied, layered Pinot Gris of genuine depth and balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePale gold with bright clarity and a fine, clean rim.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNose\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRipe quince, pear drop, musk and stone fruit with delicate aromatic lift. Subtle almond meal and biscuit develop with air from the oak-fermented portion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePalate\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRich and full-bodied with poached pear, spice and a seamless interplay between oak-derived weight and the freshness of the stainless steel component. Bright natural acidity drives a clean, persistent finish with lingering stone fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWinemaking\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eForty percent of the juice was fermented in seasoned French oak barriques to build texture and complexity. The remaining sixty percent was fermented in stainless steel to preserve bright aromatics and freshness. Dry style.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eVineyard \u0026amp; Region\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCentral Otago is New Zealand's southernmost and only continental wine region, defined by dramatic diurnal temperature variation, schist-based soils and intense UV light at altitude. The four sub-districts in this blend each contribute distinct character: Gibbston Valley for cool-climate finesse, Bendigo for concentration and structure, Lowburn for aromatic intensity, and Wanaka for freshness and purity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eVintage Conditions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 2026 vintage in Central Otago was defined by a cool, long and late growing season. Cooler-than-average growing conditions delayed budburst and harvest dates behind standard timelines. Strong spring winds and changeable weather helped maintain healthy vineyard conditions throughout the season. Harvest stretched deep into autumn, with extended hang times delivering balanced flavour development, expressive aromatics and pristine natural acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCellaring\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrink now to 2028. A fresh, aromatic style designed for early enjoyment.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maude Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48839634813177,"sku":"9421902756207-2026","price":22.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0633\/6820\/0441\/files\/maude-wines-pinot-gris-2026-central-otago.webp?v=1787028586"}],"url":"https:\/\/winesellersdirect.com.au\/collections\/maude.oembed","provider":"Wine Sellers Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}