Summary: Red Hut is a collaboration between longtime friends and wine professionals Corey Ryan and Mike Farrugia, inspired by New Zealand’s iconic backcountry huts that offer shelter and connection. Drawing on deep industry ties, they source small parcels from standout subregions to craft contemporary wines with authenticity and character wines that capture the real New Zealand, both in the glass and in the heart.

Winemaking: Fruit from a single Lowburn vineyard was hand-harvested, destemmed with 20% whole bunches, and cold-soaked before natural fermentation. The must was hand-plunged twice daily for 15 days, followed by a five-day post-ferment soak for enhanced color and structure. The wine matured for 12 months in French oak barriques (25% new) and was bottled unfiltered to maintain its character.

Vintage 2024: The 2024 growing season in Lowburn combined dry warmth, early fruit set, and a long ripening period to produce expressive Pinot Noir. Strong flowering and average-to-above yields thrived under dry El Niño conditions, followed by a mostly rain-free summer with timely rainfall easing vine stress. Cool autumn nights slowed ripening, enhancing flavour concentration, acidity, and elegance. The resulting Pinot Noir features ripe cherry and bramble fruit, fine tannins, and a distinctive mineral texture.

Tasting Note: The wine displays lifted aromas of wild cherry, redcurrant, dried thyme, rose petal, and subtle oak spice. On the palate, vibrant red fruit is framed by fine tannins, savoury notes, and earthy complexity from whole bunches. Cold soaking and extended maceration add colour depth and a silky texture, while 12 months in French oak provide structure and finesse.