Seifried Nelson Zweigelt 2020

90 Points – Decanter Magazine, August 2023
89 Points - Bob Campbell MW, © The Real Review, www.therealreview.com, Oct 2022

Vineyard: Seifried Brightwater vineyard
Sugar at Harvest: 23.7°Brix
Date of Harvest: Early April 2020
pH of Wine: 3.39
T.A of Wine: 6.6g/L
Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans: Yes

Our Brightwater Vineyard is situated 15 km from the coast and is sheltered from the south by the Richmond ranges. The ‘soil’ is a combination of rocks and boulders, which is very hard on farm equipment, but vital for holding the warmth of Nelson’s sun and for ripening the Zweigelt grapes.

The Brightwater vines are grown in an extremely stony area of the vineyard, where water and nutrient levels are low. This helps us to restrict plant vigour and to crop at low levels.

2020 was another excellent year in Nelson on the back of the outstanding 2019 vintage. We enjoyed a great growing season with the challenge coming when Covid lockdown co-incided with our harvest period. Thankfully we were deemed an “essential business” and could continue with our harvest under very strict Covid health and safety measures.

Zweigelt is a red grape variety originating in Hermann’s homeland of Austria. It is a favourite at Seifried family gatherings. Our Brightwater vineyard has just 11 rows, totalling less than one hectare of Zweigelt vines.

Zweigelt has full round berries and bunches, with rich purple skin and intense fruit flavours. The grapes were de-stemmed and fermented on their skins, and hand-plunged twice a day. Following fermentation, the wine was gently pressed from the skins and transferred to a mixture of new and three-year-old French oak barriques. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation and remained in barrel for 12 months. The wine was racked from the barrel in May 2021.