Rockburn takes its name from the rugged, rock-strewn, burn-scarred landscape of Central Otago. Located on the 45th parallel, Rockburn shares a continental climate similar to Burgundy. The estate vineyards are located in Gibbston and are flanked by mountains to the west. To the east is a barren, moon-like landscape that receives less than 25mm of rain yearly. The Pinot Noir grapes for ‘The Chosen 777’ come from meticulously selected or ’chosen’ parcels where the Clone777 vines showcase an eloquent expression of site and season. Some special spots the vineyard assert themselves immediately: a particular row of vines or a small planting that has achieved perfect harmony and resonance with the sun and soil. This wine was ‘Chosen’ from just such spots in the Parkurn, Pisa and Cromwell basin vineyard locations, which were identified early on as having great potential to create this wine of great purity and presence. The vines are trained according to the Vertical.
Use the shoot position method, and plants are planted in free-draining soils of glacial deposits.