Definitely one to savour, this is Methode Ancestrale that’s perhaps more of a nod to Champagne than Pet-Nat. Made from 100% Pinot Noir, there’s cherry, almond, and strawberry aromatics. It’s bright, fresh and persistent in the mouth, with some fruit flesh-like weight. There’s sourdough savouriness and hints of Pinot’s earthy qualities there too. The fruit comes from Churton’s biodynamic vineyard in Marlborough, basket pressed into barrel for wild yeast fermentation. It was aged for 1 year in barrel and another 6 months in bottle before being hand disgorged. 

After spending a decade making wine in Cahors in the south west of France, Lauren and Simon Sharpe have returned to New Zealand to produce wine under their own label A Thousand Gods. Made from hand-picked fruit grown at Churton’s biodynamic Marlborough vineyards, the wines are fermented with wild yeast, with no additions, fining or filtering. All their winemaking experience and talent is evident, these wines are poised and delicious.