2022 Earth Smoke Pinot Noir, Pyramid Valley

Vibrant garnet in the glass, shimmering with clarity and depth. The nose unfolds slowly and deliberately with dark cherry, wild raspberry, and black plum layered with violets, clove, and a whisper of smoky earth. There’s tension and grace in every breath, a sense of power held in check. On the palate, it’s compact yet expansive, with that signature Pyramid Valley umami, savoury red fruit wrapped in fine, powdery tannins and a saline, mineral backbone that activates the whole palate. The finish lingers long and linear, carrying notes of crushed herbs, resin and a trace of wild forest floor. Poised and pure, it’s Pinot Noir with an almost meditative energy - a wine that speaks softly, but stays with you.

For when: the night feels still and you want to listen as much as taste.
Pairs with: roasted duck breast, venison carpaccio, or shiitake risotto.
If this wine were an element, it’d be smoke rising from cool earth, ephemeral, grounding, and unforgettable.

Born from the steep limestone and clay slopes of the Waikari estate in North Canterbury, Earth Smoke represents the deeper, darker voice in Pyramid Valley’s “Botanicals” collection. Each cuvée takes its name from the meadow plant dominant in its vineyard block, a nod to the natural harmony between vine and landscape. Originally founded by Mike and Claudia Weersing after a 15-year global search for the ideal site, the estate has become synonymous with soulful, terroir-driven winemaking. Under the care of Steve Smith, Brian Sheth, and winemaker Huw Kinch, the next chapter continues with the same reverence for place and patience. The 2022 vintage, expressive and refined, captures both the spirit of the vineyard and the quiet intensity that defines the world’s great Pinot Noirs.