Pale green-gold in the glass, the 2022 Field of Fire glows with restrained intensity. The nose is a study in precision, struck flint, crushed limestone, lemon zest and sea spray, layered with hints of white peach and samphire. On the palate, it’s taut yet generous, the citrus core wrapped in fine phenolic texture that gives the wine both shape and drive. There’s a beautiful tension between richness and restraint, a pulse of saline minerality running through a long, savoury finish. Elegant, pure, and quietly powerful, this is Chardonnay as sculpture, carved by time and terroir.

For when: the mood calls for clarity and calm sophistication.
Pairs with: grilled scallops, lemon-roast chicken, or creamy pasta with herbs.

The Field of Fire vineyard lies on Pyramid Valley’s home estate in Waikari, North Canterbury, where limestone and clay slopes meet the sky. First planted by Mike and Claudia Weersing after a 15-year search for the perfect site, this parcel has become one of New Zealand’s most expressive terroirs for Chardonnay. Each release bears the name of the dominant wild plant in its block, a reflection of the vineyard’s living ecosystem and its deep connection to place. Under the guidance of Huw Kinch, and custodians Steve Smith and Brian Sheth, the estate continues its legacy of natural, vineyard-first winemaking. The 2022 vintage captures that philosophy perfectly: focused, textural, and effortlessly alive, it’s a Chardonnay that burns brightly, without ever losing its composure.