2022 Prophets Rock Cuvee Aux Antipodes Blanc

Its Origins

The Cuvee Aux Antipodes is a collaboration between Francois Millet (winemaker for 35 years at the legendary Comtes Georges de Vogüé in Burgundy) and Prophet's Rock in Central Otago. Established in 1999, Prophet’s Rock has become one of New Zealand’s most consistent boutique producers. Since the first release in 2018, this wine has been sourced exclusively from the small one hectare Chardonnay block on their Kopuwai Delta vineyard, located in the Pisa sub-region of Central Otago. This site has a mix of glacial and alluvial soil. Meticulous viticulture and the site’s low elevation help to ensure full ripeness and concentration. A strong focus on viticulture is the foundation of the winemaking approach. Yields are consistently managed to 25-30hl/ha or approximately 3.5-4ton/ha. All elements of the winemaking are directed by François who has formed a consistent approach to this parcel since 2018. The handpicked fruit is whole-bunch pressed and fermented in barrel using only indigenous ‘wild’ yeast. The wine then spends 17 months in barrel (16% new) and undergoes indigenous malolactic fermentation. The wine is bottled unfiltered under Diam cork.“This wine is the reflect of the Clutha River flowing just below, mineral, transparent and luminous. There is nothing exotic, “artificial” or “made up” about the expression of this wine. That shows again the link between what is emanating from the land, the feeling you have from it and the expression of the wines.” - François Millet.