Pegasus Bay

The Donaldson family have been seriously involved in wine since the early 1970’s and were pioneers of local grape growing and wine making in the Waipara Valley. Protected from the Pacific’s easterly breezes the Teviotdale Range and warmed by the smooth stones and gravels left behind by an ice age glacier the 20 year old vines struggle for growth in the free draining soil. This produces low yields of optimally ripened, high quality, flavourful grapes. Our aim is to grow grapes of the highest quality, which fully express the features of the vineyard, and to handle these with the utmost respect. Minimal intervention at all stages from vine to bottle typifies our approach. This includes traditional sustainable viticultural with low cropping, and gentle pressing. From here the wines are allowed to go through natural malolactic fermentation and clarification by settling aspiring to capture the unique flavours of the vineyard in our wine. Unique in their own right the two labels from the Donaldson family Limited deliver a stunning wine experience of the Waipara Valley from the estate grown fruit of Pegasus Bay to the regional fruit of the Main Divide label.