The Hermit Ram Zealandia Pinot Noir 2024

The Hermit Ram Zealandia Pinot Noir
Made by Theo Coles under his own label, The Hermit Ram, this Pinot Noir is sourced from several organically grown vineyards around North Canterbury, planted on clay limestone and gravel soils. The grapes are destemmed and fermented whole berry with native yeasts, given just one gentle punchdown before spending six weeks macerating on skins. From there the wine matures in tinajas, lined Spanish clay amphora, before being bottled unfined and unfiltered with only a minimal amount of sulphur. The result is a Pinot Noir built on savoury depth and mineral drive rather than pure fruit sweetness, true to Theo's hands off, low intervention approach. At 12.5% ABV, it is a distinctive, site expressive drop from one of Canterbury's most original winemakers.

What the winery says: The Hermit Ram is Theo Coles' personal project, built around tiny vineyards across Canterbury and old world techniques applied to New Zealand fruit. Zealandia Pinot Noir draws on organically farmed sites on clay limestone and gravels, fermented naturally with minimal intervention and matured in Spanish clay amphora rather than oak. The winery describes the wine as holding depth and aromatic detail without heaviness, with dark fruit, savoury notes and floral lift emerging gradually as it opens, shaped by the season and by Theo's preference for restraint over polish.