Pegasus Bay Riesling 2026
Pegasus Bay Riesling is a beautifully expressive North Canterbury Riesling from the Donaldson family's celebrated Waipara Valley winery. The 2026 vintage brings together vibrant green apple, juicy nectarine and zesty citrus, complemented by delicate orange blossom, jasmine, ginger and a subtle flinty minerality. Richly textured yet wonderfully refreshing, the palate offers a gentle touch of sweetness balanced by lively natural acidity, with a fine, delicate spritz adding extra freshness. Bright lime flavours linger on the finish, making for a wonderfully balanced and characterful wine. Delicious alongside fragrant Thai curries, spicy Asian dishes, pork belly or fresh seafood, it's equally enjoyable as an aperitif.
What the winery says:
The 2026 Riesling comes from mature vines approaching 40 years of age, planted on the free-draining Glasnevin Gravels of Pegasus Bay's north-facing Waipara Valley terraces. Warm, settled conditions during flowering were followed by a cooler summer and autumn, requiring careful fruit selection to achieve the desired ripeness. The winery's approach involves extended hang time and, where conditions allow, the inclusion of noble botrytis to develop complexity. Following harvest, the free-run juice was slowly fermented at cool temperatures, with careful handling preserving a small amount of natural carbon dioxide. The resulting wine displays green apple, nectarine, floral and ginger aromas, with gentle sweetness, refreshing acidity, ripe phenolics and a long, tangy lime finish.
What the experts say:
Emma Jenkins MW, Decanter, 95/100 (2025 Vintage)
"Bright, fleshy and tangy, with a gorgeous nose, like walking through a ripe orchard on a summer’s day. Layered, succulent palate with good weight and length, medium sweetness with plenty of verve and a clean finish, very moreish. The house style is to incorporate some botrytis where possible, which adds a marmalade richness. Very well- balanced, delicious and inviting now, though Pegasus Bay’s excellent Riesling provenance gives confidence this will age well."
Cameron Douglas MS, 94/100 (2025 Vintage)
"Aromas of honeyed peaches, lime skin and makrut leaf. There’s no mistaking the bite of acidity and apple citrus flavours as the wine touches the palate, a backbone of acidity drives these throughout the palate leaving behind flavours of honeysuckle and peach, lemon verbena and granny-smith apples. Lengthy, refreshing, salivating and delightful. An excellent aperitif wine with best drinking from day of purchase through 2034+."
