Split Rock Riesling 2023

This stunning wine is named after the landmark Split Apple Rock in Abel Tasman National Park, where Hermann Seifried built a winery in 1973 with the help of his local church. He'd only arrived in New Zealand three years earlier from Austria, via Germany (where he studied winemaking) and South Africa. He married Kiwi lass Agnes Wilkins, and two years later they realised their shared dream of growing grapes. 1976 was their maiden vintage and more than 30 years on the Seifrieds are still going strong and racking up a host of awards. This pure Riesling is slightly off dry but defined by beautiful balance, with more than enough bracing, natural acidity to make it versatile and extremely easy to drink. Terrific with lighter Asian cuisine, and fresh shellfish.