*Dave and his paw-ssistant winemaker, Scout.*

Another harvest season has come and gone at The Coterie, and what a season it was! With our team bolstered by nine fantastic vintage staff, we rolled up our sleeves and dove into what turned out to be one of our most memorable harvests yet.

We caught up with our operations winemaker, Dave Foes, for the inside scoop on what made this vintage special. So, pour yourself a glass of your favourite Coterie wine, put your feet up, and join us for a chat about all things vintage 2025.

The 2025 Vintage in Three Words

When asked to sum up this harvest season in just three words, Dave didn't hesitate: "Healthy, Happy, Seamless."

"Healthy" refers to our crops, which were bigger than average this year. But thanks to the gorgeous weather we had, the grapes ripened beautifully.

"Happy" describes our fermentation process—no significant issues even with those notoriously stubborn wild barrel ferments that usually take months to reach dryness!

And "Seamless" captures the smooth flow of the entire vintage. There was a natural split between early ripening varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and later ones such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. This meant our equipment was never overwhelmed, and we could process everything at just the right time.

What Made This Vintage Unique?

“The vine health this year was exceptional," Dave explained with genuine enthusiasm. "We invested significant time in thinning fruit and managing the canopy, which really paid off in fruit quality."

This meticulous attention to detail meant disease pressure stayed low, with open canopies and manageable fruit loads. The result? Easy picking decisions based on both flavour development and sugar levels, rather than racing against disease or weather conditions.

But it wasn't just about the vines. "The calibre of vintage staff was exceptional this year," our winemaker noted. "Having such a professional team takes considerable pressure off our permanent staff members." (Shout out to our amazing vintage crew—you know who you are!)

Exciting Trials and Experiments

At The Coterie, we're always looking to push boundaries while honouring traditional winemaking practices. This vintage was no exception.

"We fermented several whites on skins to give the resulting wine more texture and roundness," Dave shared. "This technique worked particularly well for our Organic Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer."

But perhaps the most exciting ferment this year? "We made a sparkling wine base from Organic Chardonnay—which will eventually be part of a new Blanc de Blanc release for us in the coming months," our winemaker revealed with a conspiratorial wink. "Watch this space!"

Unexpected Surprises?

Every harvest brings its surprises, and 2025 was no different.

"I was genuinely surprised by how well the vines ripened given the crop size, along with the unusually low disease pressure," Dave reflected. "Comparing this year to past vintages like 2014 and 2018, the ripeness and health of Vintage 2025 really stands out."

One sensory delight was particularly noteworthy: "All the ferments have smelled amazing! When you walk into the winery, you get this incredible blast of tropical fruits—always a great indication of wine quality."

Vineyard Favourites

We all have our favourites, and Dave was quick to identify the standout blocks from this vintage.

"I'm particularly excited about the Pinot and Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon that came from our Brink Vineyard this year," he shared with evident pride. "These are 33-year-old vines that have been organic from day one, and this year will really showcase what this vineyard can do."

The Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon will become part of our beloved Bob Short for Kate label, while the Pinot Noir is destined for our Zephyr Pinot Noir.

What's Next?

Now comes the waiting game as these promising wines develop in tank and barrel. But based on everything we've seen so far, Vintage 2025 looks set to deliver some exceptional bottles for our Coterie wine lovers.

As a BioGro NZ and B Corp certified™ winery, we're committed to making great wine while caring for our land, our people, and our community. This harvest embodied that philosophy perfectly—sustainable practices leading to exceptional quality, while our team (both permanent and seasonal) worked together in harmony.

Stay tuned for these wines to be release over the coming year. We can't wait to share the fruits of this remarkable vintage with you all.

Want to be among the first to taste our 2025 releases? Follow us on social media for release dates and special events. (Instagram - @thecoterie.nz)

2025 Harvest Recap: Behind the Scenes with Dave

Back to Top ↑