Pinot Perfection - The Real Review - Bob Campbell MW

Burn Cottage Vineyard property is a 24-hectare estate in the foothills of Pisa Range in Central Otago. It was established in 2002 by the Sauvage family, who are based in Chicago.

After purchasing the property the Sauvages contacted Ted Lemon of Littorai Wines in Sebastopol, California, who agreed to consult on the project from 2002 to 2018.

The Sauvage family are cattle, cotton and wheat farmers in Oberlin, Kansas, and have a tradition of agricultural holdings, including in Australia. They were one of the original American cotton farmers to set up in Moree, Australia, in the 1960s. As farmers, the Sauvages have a particular appreciation and patience for the time and investment required to begin a new agricultural enterprise.

The family entered the wine distribution business in the early 1990s, and now have many years of experience in the fine wine business and the peculiar requirements for success in it. World class winegrowing requires both patience and determination, qualities not lost on Kansas farmers.

The Sauvage family believe that great wine is not made from fruit but from vineyard blocks, each with its own character.

After about 11 months in barrel the pinot noir parcels are tasted and evaluated before choosing the wines that will be blended together to produce Burn Cottage Vineyard Moonlight Race and Valli Vineyard. The wines are produced using biodynamic principles.

From the very first vintage in 2009, Burn Cottage wines have shown enormous finesse and exciting development. Burn Cottage is one of Central Otago’s leading pinot noir producers.