Nautilus

Marlborough,  New Zealand

Nautilus Estate relies mainly on grapes from its own vineyards in Marlborough but also selects grapes from other quality vineyard sites. The selection process is very rigorous and only those grapes that will produce wines of exceptional varietal and regional character are chosen.
The wines of the Nautilus Estate range are carefully crafted; modern technology and traditional techniques have been deftly combined; French oak is used extensively during fermentation and maturation to complement and enhance the fruit. The resultant wines are stylish and individual. Each is an appreciation of the unique quality of the variety in its South Pacific setting.
Over the past few years, both in our own vineyards and with the support of our growers, Nautilus Estate has undertaken an extensive expansion programme using the latest available clones of Pinot Noir. We now have over 60 acres of Pinot Noir planted in vineyards throughout the Marlborough region, in a variety of clones including AM10/5, the Pommard clones 5 and 6 and the Dijon clones 114, 115, 667 and 777.
Vineyards
Nautilus Estate, Awatere River Vineyard: Ten hectares of picturesque glacial river terraces, planted in Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. First planted in 1992 this low yielding vineyard is characterised by intense fruit flavours and fine aromatics. Harvest is typically 7-10 days behind the Wairau valley.

Nautilus Estate, Kaituna Vineyard: In January 2004 Nautilus Estate purchased its forth vineyard, located within 5 minutes drive of the winery across the Wairau River at Kaituna. This 20 Ha block was planted in 2002 and 2003 in Pinot Noir (1.5 Ha) and Sauvignon Blanc (17 Ha). Although it is in close proximity to our Opawa and Renwick vineyards the site is cooler and we can expect a later harvest. This is turn will result in a different set of aromas and flavours and a new blending component for our Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Nautilus Estate, Opawa Vineyard: Located on Rapaura Road, this 25-hectare vineyard was planted between 2001 and 2003 principally in Sauvignon Blanc to help meet the insatiable international demand for Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc. One and a half hectares of Pinot Noir have also been planted to continue our development program with this variety. Part of the block is an area of river gravels that were once part of the old "Opawa river" flood plain.
Nautilus Estate, Renwick Vineyard: Seven hectares of classic stony 'Rapaura' soils, planted in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This mature vineyard provides key blending components to both Nautilus Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The Nautilus Pinot Cellar
* 16 open-top fermenters each with a capacity of 8 tonnes.
* The tanks have both heating and cooling capacity, enabling us to cold soak prior to fermentation and warm or cool ferments as necessary.
* The crusher is mounted on a rail above the tanks and a 'Taylors' bin lifter is used to elevate the fruit and feed the crusher/destemmer. The fruit is destemmed directly into the tanks avoiding the use of a must pump. When one tank is filled the crusher/destemmer is moved along to the next.
* A three head pneumatic plunging device ('Big foot') has been constructed which gently plunges the cap during cold soak and fermentation, allowing us total management of the cap. Automated control not only enhances quality but has also turned a labour intensive, time consuming task into a simple controllable procedure.
* The central catwalk, which provides unrestricted access to the tanks, allows us to closely monitor the ferments and cap temperature.
* After fermentation, the wine is drained off and the skins are dropped into bins to be loaded into the press using the same bin lifter.
* The young wines are transferred to barrel after pressing by gravity and will typically remain undisturbed in barrel until blending and bottling.

Clive Jones - Winemaker/Winery Manager
Clive Jones joined Nautilus Estate as Winemaker in August 1998. He is a graduate in wine science from Charles Sturt University and had spent the previous 6 years working for Selaks Wines in Auckland. Clive originally trained as an industrial chemist before being drawn to the wine industry as a passionate wine consumer.
With a background in the production of Marlborough wines, a move to the region and a pioneering producer such as Nautilus Estate provided the next step and a fantastic opportunity. "I regard Marlborough as the heart of the New Zealand wine industry and what a great place to bring up a family."
Since joining Nautilus Estate, Clive has been heavily involved in the Nautilus Pinot Noir winery project. A winemaking tour of Oregon was completed in 1999 with a focus on quality Pinot Noir production. While Pinot Noir is providing an immediate stimulus, Clive is also passionate about Sauvignon Blanc. "It is great to see the distinctive Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc flavours as they develop on the vine. Then we see them further emerge through fermentation and we can release a world class product three months later. A wine that is truly made on the vine."
Red Bordeaux varieties, Chardonnay and sparkling winemaking are further strings to this talented winemaker's bow.

See Nautilus wines we sell

Print