The northern side of Wairau Valley is made of young river silt and stone soils. On the southern side are much older soils with higher clay contents based on glacial outwash. This patchwork of terroir provides the Brancott team with a range of options to construct a Pinot Noir of wonderful complexity and profound structure. A number of clones, mainly UCD5 and UCD6, 10/5 and Dijons 777, 667 and 115, grown on three main rootstocks, 3309, RG and Schwarzmann, all of low vigor, to limit crop and enhance flavour. Brancott is treated to four months in a mix of fermenters and oak cuvees to retain the bright fruit aromas and flavours, followed by racking and the final assemblage.