Stonyridge Luna Negra 2024 is a 100% hillside Malbec from Stonyridge Vineyard on Waiheke Island, grown on the steep Vina del Mar block above Onetangi. It shows black and blue forest fruits with a hint of wild herb. Michael Cooper described Luna Negra as "a bold and consistently classy red". A great wine for anyone who loves concentrated, full-bodied reds.
In the glass it shows real weight, with a generous seasoning of oak wrapped around the fruit. This is a wine for those of us who enjoy a big, ripe red with some presence on the palate. This wine would pair well with chargrilled steak.
Stonyridge call it their "Black Moon" Malbec, a nod to the name Luna Negra.
What it tastes like
The wine has what Stonyridge describe as "incredible concentration and ripeness", and the palate is rich and long. They also call it "dangerously drinkable", which sums up the appeal: plenty of power, but a red you keep coming back to. It's delicious.
Style at a glance
- Body: Full
- Sweetness: Dry
- Acidity: Medium
- Tannin: Medium to firm
- Oak: Generous, framing the dark fruit
- Style: Bold, concentrated hillside Malbec
Food to enjoy this with
- Chargrilled ribeye with chimichurri
- Slow-cooked beef cheeks in red wine
- Lamb rump with roasted garlic
- Venison backstrap with a blackberry jus
- Smoked brisket
- Beef empanadas: Malbec is Argentina's signature red, and the wine's dark fruit sits naturally with spiced, savoury pastry
Who makes it
Stonyridge Vineyard was founded by Stephen White, who returned to New Zealand in 1981 after sailing a Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race and working at wineries in France, California and Italy. After extensive climatic research, he chose a north-facing site on Waiheke Island to ripen Bordeaux varieties, and planted his first vines in 1982.
Malbec has been part of the Stonyridge story since 1983, when it was planted alongside Cabernet Franc. Luna Negra comes from the Estate's Vina del Mar block, a steep northeast-facing slope overlooking Onetangi. Stonyridge put the wine's depth down to that slope and to low cropping, which keeps the vines' fruit concentrated.
About the vintage
Leon Henson, Vineyard Manager at Batch Winery and Auckland's Young Viticulturist of the Year 2024, reported that Waiheke Island had well below average rainfall through January, February and March 2024, with plenty of sun and "a spectacular ripening period".
Yields were low across the island, and he described it as a "quality over quantity vintage". Waiheke's Gulf News reported that yields were down at harvest, but that fruit quality was "fantastic".
Technical details
| Winery: |
Stonyridge Vineyard |
| Wine: |
Luna Negra |
| Vintage: |
2024 |
| Variety: |
Malbec (100%) |
| Region: |
Waiheke Island |
| Country: |
New Zealand |
| Alcohol: |
14.5% |
| Closure: |
Cork |
Where to buy
For international delivery to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, the Stonyridge Luna Negra 2024 is available from our winenz.com website. For delivery within New Zealand, buy it from thewineryonline.co.nz. You can also buy it at our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores, alongside a large range of New Zealand and international wine. On both websites and in both stores you can select a mixed case from a large range of wines, and if you are visiting from overseas, we can ship it home for you.
Questions we are often asked
What grape is Stonyridge Luna Negra made from?
Luna Negra is 100% Malbec, grown on the hillside Vina del Mar block at Stonyridge Vineyard on Waiheke Island.
What does Stonyridge Luna Negra 2024 taste like?
Stonyridge describe black and blue forest fruits, a hint of wild herb and a generous lick of oak, with a rich, long palate.
What does Luna Negra mean?
Luna Negra is Spanish for "Black Moon", and Stonyridge describe the wine as their "Black Moon" Malbec.
Where is Stonyridge Luna Negra grown?
It comes from the Vina del Mar block, a steep northeast-facing slope overlooking Onetangi on Waiheke Island. The vines are cropped low to concentrate the fruit.
What food goes with Stonyridge Luna Negra 2024?
It suits rich red meat dishes such as chargrilled ribeye, slow-cooked beef cheeks, lamb rump and venison.
Where can I buy Stonyridge Luna Negra 2024?
The Winery ships Stonyridge Luna Negra 2024 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. You can also buy it in our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores.
