Ayrburn Whimsy Pinot Noir 2023 is a Central Otago Pinot Noir from Ayrburn, the wine and food destination near Arrowtown. It is the entry point to Ayrburn's Pinot Noir range, and a good way in if you are curious about Central Otago Pinot Noir as a region.
Whimsy is where Ayrburn's Pinot Noir range starts. It comes from Central Otago, New Zealand's southernmost wine region, and from a 2023 season that was hot and dry until the last few weeks of harvest.
It is a good place to start for anyone who wants to see what Central Otago Pinot Noir is about before trying Ayrburn's Napoleon or Ten Acres. It also suits a good weekend dinner where a bottle of red is wanted without fuss.
Food to enjoy this with
Pinot Noir has light tannins and lively acidity, so it works with a wide range of great food.
- Wild mushroom risotto
- Roast lamb with rosemary and garlic
- Venison backstrap with beetroot
- Slow-cooked beef cheeks
- Roast duck breast with cherries
- Seared salmon on lentils, an unexpected one, because oily fish holds up well against a red with soft tannins
Serve it lightly cool, at about 15°C.
Who makes it
Ayrburn is a wine and food destination near Arrowtown. Jody Pagey is the winemaker for the range.
Ayrburn describes its approach as elegance, focus and purity, with most of its wines coming from single vineyards or sub-regions.
About the vintage
In Central Otago, most of the 2023 growing season was hot and dry. Sophie Preece, writing in the Rural News Group's Vintage 2023 report on the region, noted mid-season growing degree days running about 150 above the long-term average. Growing degree days measure how much warmth the vines have collected.
The season changed in the last 4 weeks of harvest. El Niño arrived, bringing rain, wind, snow and frost. Consultant viticulturist Timbo Morrison-Deaker is the report's main source.
Yields were good, with larger berries rather than more bunches. Later-ripening sites picked at lower sugars and alcohol, and with higher malic acid, the tart, green-apple acid found in young grapes. The report's overall view is that the vintage remains stellar.
Technical details
| Winery: |
Ayrburn |
| Wine: |
Whimsy Pinot Noir |
| Vintage: |
2023 |
| Variety: |
Pinot Noir |
| Region: |
Central Otago |
| Country: |
New Zealand |
Where to buy
For international delivery to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, the Ayrburn Whimsy Pinot Noir 2023 is available via our winenz.com website. For delivery in New Zealand you can purchase from thewineryonline.co.nz. If you are visiting New Zealand, you can also buy it at our Queenstown and Arrowtown stores, alongside a large range of New Zealand and international wine.
Questions we are often asked
Where is Ayrburn Whimsy Pinot Noir made?
Ayrburn Whimsy Pinot Noir 2023 is a Central Otago wine from Ayrburn, a winery and dining destination near Arrowtown in New Zealand's South Island.
What food goes with Ayrburn Whimsy Pinot Noir 2023?
Earthy and roasted dishes suit it well, such as mushroom risotto, herb-crusted lamb, venison or duck. Serve it lightly cool.
What was the 2023 vintage like in Central Otago?
Most of the season was hot and dry, then rain, wind, snow and frost arrived in the last 4 weeks of harvest. Yields were good, and the Rural News Group report calls the vintage stellar.
Who makes Ayrburn wines?
Jody Pagey is Ayrburn's winemaker. Ayrburn describes its approach as elegance, focus and purity.
Is Ayrburn Whimsy Pinot Noir 2023 a good introduction to Central Otago Pinot Noir?
Yes. Whimsy is the entry point to Ayrburn's Pinot Noir range, so it is a sensible first bottle from the region.
Where can I buy Ayrburn Whimsy Pinot Noir 2023?
The Winery ships Ayrburn Whimsy Pinot Noir 2023 internationally from winenz.com to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, and delivers within New Zealand from thewineryonline.co.nz. It is also available in our Queenstown and Arrowtown stores.
