Kumeu River
Ray's Road Pinot Noir, Hawke's Bay
The Pinot Noir at Rays Road was planted by the previous owners of the site in 2008 with a variety of superior clones. The winery has identified a small section of this vineyard that shows distinct character and consistently high-quality fruit, and has dedicated it solely to the production of the Ray's Road bottling. This is the winery’s only single-vineyard Pinot Noir.
Vintage Factsheets
The vineyard in Rays Road, Raukawa, was established as a joint venture between Trinity Hill and Pascal Jolivet from Sancerre, France. Kumeu River purchased the vineyard in full in 2017. Rays Road Vineyard sits on a north-facing limestone hillside at 180 metres, a rare elevated site in Hawke’s Bay. The cooler, later ripening conditions deliver natural freshness, while limestone soils add mineral tension and dry farming keeps yields naturally low.
- Region
- Kumeu
- Appellation
- Kumeu
- Varietal Composition
- Pinot Noir
- Aging
- 12 months in French oak (10% new).
- Alcohol
- 13%
Rays Road Pinot Noir is bright and fragrant with ripe cherry and other red-fruit aromas. There is also a distinctive dry leaf quality which contributes to the complexity. The palate is supple, deceptively concentrated, with a distinctive limestone edge. It is approachable now, and do not doubt that this complex wine will enhance further with bottle age.
James Suckling
93 Points
2024
"Very bright and aromatic, with cherries, wild strawberries and rose hips over a savory core lifted by a touch of chocolate. The medium- to full-bodied palate is meaty and nervy, with a vivid dynamic flow of fruit. Very attractive and inviting. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
— James Suckling, 2026
Wine Advocate
93 Points
2024
The 2024 Ray's Road Pinot Noir is from the Ray's Road vineyard in Hawke's Bay, and the wine leads with notes of poached strawberry, star anise, clove, dark chocolate and forest floor. The palate is lean and spicy, with attractively composed tannins and good length through the finish. The notes of hung deli meat and gentle pastrami add an extra layer of complexity. The vineyard has limestone through it, and it lends a sense of energy and composure to the wine. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
— Erin Larkin, 2026
