Highfield Media Releases

On Thursday 23 October 2008 Highfield released the first ever Mill Stream Pinot Noir 2007. Sales of this wine partly go towards the Mill Stream Project.

The name Mill Stream comes from the stream that flows down the Omaka Valley and borders Highfield. The Mill Stream Project is an initiative made up of about 30 farmers, vineyard owners and lifestylers, working to maintain water quality and improve the habitat for aquatic life. This year the group has planted hundreds of native plants along the stream banks. “We aim to turn the Mill Stream and its surroundings into an oasis for native birds, lizards, frogs and aquatic life. Grapevines are great but it’s important to mix things up by encouraging biodiversity and return the river to its natural state” Naomi Galvin, National Sales and Marketing.

Marlborough Maori artist Linda Waimarie King was commissioned to paint and design the Mill Stream label to reflect the rejuvenation of the Mill Stream. The actual painting is on display at Highfield’s cellar door now.

Only 1000 bottles of Mill Stream Pinot Noir 2007 were made by winemaker Alistair Soper. These are sold exclusively from the winery at $60 per bottle. Each bottle comes in a wooden presentation case with a numbered certificate.

The grapes for the Mill Stream Pinot Noir were sourced solely from Highfield’s oldest and best vineyard, the Mill Stream vineyard which surrounds the winery. The grapes were hand picked, hand sorted and then hand plunged. Rather than pumping the wine, we used gravity techniques to ensure the gentlest handling of the wine. The wine is then aged for 15 months in new French oak barriques. “We’ve created a rich, well structured Pinot Noir which shows the best of Highfield and will continue to develop for at least 10 years”. Alistair Soper, Winemaker.

Order your collectors case now (in a one or three bottle wooded box) and support the planting of native flora along the Mill Stream. http://www.highfield.co.nz/wineshop/