Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir 2022

Region and Vineyards

The Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir 2022 hails from the Southern Valleys of Marlborough, with fruit sourced primarily from a single low-yielding vineyard in the Delta region. This sub-region is prized for its clay-rich soils and cooler mesoclimate, which slow ripening and intensify flavour concentration. The vineyard naturally produces small, tightly packed berries, which is ideal for Pinot Noir, allowing for greater aromatic intensity and tannin finesse.

The vineyard's optimal positioning and careful canopy management ensure a perfect balance between fruit richness and structural elegance. Harvesting was conducted at peak ripeness to preserve both varietal purity and site expression. The resulting wine captures the hallmarks of Marlborough's Southern Valleys: lifted aromatics, structured tannins, and bright natural acidity.

Winemaking

Upon harvest, the fruit was cold-soaked for five days to encourage maximal extraction of colour and flavour compounds. The primary fermentation was carried out with selected cultured yeasts and included meticulous hand-plunging of the cap—up to six times per day at peak fermentation—to balance extraction and delicacy.

Post-fermentation, the wine was gently pressed and transferred to 225-litre French oak barriques, of which 28% were new, for ten months of maturation. During this élevage, malolactic fermentation took place, softening the acidity and enhancing the mouthfeel. Regular tastings guided the final blend, which was gently prepared for bottling to retain the wine's nuanced character. Alcohol is measured at 12.5%, with an acidity of 5.1 g/L and a pH of 3.62, offering excellent balance and longevity.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep garnet
• Aroma: Intense and perfumed, with black hedgerow fruits, wild blackberry, and lifted toasted oak
• Palate: Rich and full-bodied with ripe blackberry, blueberry, and a subtle savoury olive note. Silky texture with powdered tannins and a refined toasty finish

Did you know?

Saint Clair Family Estate was among the first in Marlborough to adopt a vineyard-specific approach to Pinot Noir, allowing winemaker Kyle Thompson to craft reserve wines like Omaka from exceptional single sites. This terroir-led philosophy has elevated Marlborough's international reputation for serious Pinot Noir.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Herb-crusted rack of lamb: The wine's dark fruit and spice enhance the savoury richness and herbal crust.
• Roasted duck breast with blueberry jus: A natural partner for the wine's black fruit and silky body.
• Grilled portobello mushrooms with rosemary and garlic: The earthy profile echoes the wine's subtle olive note.
• Seared venison loin with beetroot purée: The acidity and structure match beautifully with gamey textures and sweet root vegetables.

History of Saint Clair

Saint Clair Family Estate was founded in 1994 by Neal and Judy Ibbotson, Marlborough viticulture pioneers who had been growing grapes in the region since 1978. Initially supplying fruit to other producers, they eventually decided to create their own label to craft wines that fully reflected the potential of their meticulously managed vineyards.

The estate was named "Saint Clair" after the original name given to the property by one of Marlborough's earliest European settlers. The winery quickly gained international acclaim, especially for its Sauvignon Blancs, and helped elevate Marlborough's global reputation in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Today, Saint Clair remains family-owned and operated, with Neal Ibbotson still actively involved. Winemaker Kyle Thompson, with over two decades of experience, leads the cellar, focusing on purity, precision, and site expression across all varieties.

Saint Clair was one of the first New Zealand wineries to adopt a parcel-specific vinification strategy, isolating distinct vineyard sites and bottling them individually under the "Pioneer Block" label. This philosophy of terroir differentiation has become a hallmark of the estate's style.

Region and Vineyards

Saint Clair's vineyard holdings and grower partnerships span across Marlborough's diverse subregions: the Wairau Valley, Awatere Valley, and Southern Valleys, with select sites in Hawke's Bay for Syrah and Bordeaux varieties.

In Marlborough, the estate's sites range from the cooler, wind-influenced Awatere Valley, known for crisp acidity and herbal notes, to the richer soils of the Southern Valleys, yielding concentration and depth. The Pioneer Block series showcases individual vineyard plots, chosen for their distinctive soil types, microclimates, and varietal expression.

All vineyard practices follow sustainable viticulture, and several blocks are certified under New Zealand's Sustainable Winegrowing programme. The combination of low yields, canopy precision and site specificity results in wines of both intensity and elegance.

Wine Range of Saint Clair

Saint Clair produces a wide portfolio of wines, structured into several quality tiers:

• Vicar's Choice: Fresh, fruit-driven wines offering excellent value, often early-drinking styles.
• Premium Range: Includes varietal classics from Marlborough with generous fruit and texture.
• Pioneer Block: Small-parcel, single-vineyard wines showcasing site specificity and regional nuance.
• Reserve Wines: Flagship bottlings, such as the Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir and Barrique Sauvignon Blanc, selected from the best barrels and blocks each vintage.
• Origin Series: Balanced, versatile wines made with precision and Marlborough typicity in mind.

Saint Clair is best known for its Sauvignon Blanc, but also excels with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Syrah and sparkling wines, all marked by purity and varietal clarity.

Did you know?

Saint Clair has earned more than 20 trophies and over 500 gold medals internationally, making it one of New Zealand's most awarded wineries. It was also among the first to plant and vinify Syrah in the Gimblett Gravels—a gravelly subregion of Hawke's Bay now considered a New World benchmark for Rhône-style reds.