Dancing Petrel Viognier 2024, Northland

Viognier is one of those grapes that, done well, smells absolutely gorgeous — and this unoaked version from Dancing Petrel leans right into that. It's grown on their tiny island vineyard out in Mangonui Harbour, up in Northland's Far North.

Like the Arneis, this is Kim and Graham Gilkison's doing — the couple who traded an engineering business in New Plymouth for ten hectares up north back in 2012, with the wine made at nearby Marsden Estate.

Straw gold in the glass, with a fragrant bouquet of honeysuckle and vanilla, then nectarine and stone fruit on the palate. Fresh but full-bodied, with soft acidity and no oak getting in the way of the fruit.

Variety: Viognier (unoaked)

Vintage: 2024

Region: Northland, New Zealand

Bottle size: 750ml

Alc: 13.6%