News | Coal Pit Wines

 As we approach the end of the year, we’re taking a moment to reflect on what was a truly unique and promising vintage for 2024. 

Here, in our unique corner of Central Otago, every growing season is different and this year, the vines truly showed their resilience and potential. While every vintage presents its set of challenges, 2024 stands out for its adaptability, the quality of the fruit, and the incredible wines emerging from this season.

The growing season began with an early budburst and flowering, which set the stage for a slightly ahead-of-schedule vintage. This early start came with some warmer spring conditions, giving the vines the boost they needed to develop strong, healthy canopies and a well-structured fruit set. The vines responded beautifully, and it became clear early on that 2024 would be a season of great potential.

As the growing season progressed, Central Otago saw an early shift into autumn. By March, cooler temperatures had settled in, which helped the vines maintain a steady pace of ripening. These cooler conditions weren’t a setback; rather, they allowed for more gradual flavor development, resulting in a vintage marked by concentrated, complex fruit flavors.

The season also brought with it an unseasonal frost in March. While this tested the resilience of our vines, we were fortunate that the frost didn’t cause any significant damage here in Gibbston. In fact, the cooler weather that followed meant we had an uninterrupted Easter—something Anika, our winemaker, hadn’t experienced in her time at Coal Pit. It was a rare, welcome break in what is usually a busy, chaotic period!

Thanks to the healthy canopy, well-structured fruit set, and those cooler temperatures, the 2024 vintage has developed exceptional, concentrated flavours. We’re tasting the classic brambly wild berries and hints of dried thyme that have become the signature of our Gibbston terroir. Despite the challenges, the overall quality of the fruit has been outstanding.

Anika often says that great wine begins in the vineyard, and this vintage is a perfect example of that philosophy. The balance of warm days, cool nights, and a long, steady ripening period has contributed to wines with depth, complexity, and clarity. It’s been a vintage full of contrasts, yet one that has truly allowed the potential of our vines to shine through.

As we move into the new year, we’re excited to see how the wines continue to evolve in barrel. There’s a real sense of anticipation as we watch the 2024 wines take shape. While this season brought its challenges, it’s also produced some standout wines that we can’t wait to share with you.

The success of this vintage is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, the support of our vineyard staff, and, of course, the resilience of the vines that have called Coal Pit home for 30 years now. We’re incredibly grateful to all who contribute to our work in the vineyard and the winery. The 2024 vintage is one we will look back on with pride, not only for the challenges we faced but for the exceptional wines we’ve created.

Here’s to a season holiday season full of cheer and to the wines that will tell the story of 2024 for years to come.