Pyramid Valley, established by Mike and Claudia Weersing, is a boutique powerhouse in Waipara’s limestone-rich Omihi Hills. They harness old vine Mendoza clones (planted 1982–1990) on cool clay soils to craft site-specific Chardonnay known for its balance of finesse and depth.
The 2022 Lion’s Tooth Chardonnay is a world-class wine and a benchmark New Zealand Chardonnay for lovers of site-expressive wines.
In the glass, it opens with a bouquet of white blossom, lemon curd, and ripe stone fruit, underpinned by flinty reduction and hints of cashew and crushed seashells. The palate is taut and energetic, offering a seamless interplay between citrus, nectarine, and wet stone minerality. A silky, gently oxidative texture from wild ferment and extended lees ageing adds depth, while the wine’s brisk acidity and restrained oak frame the fruit with precision.
Lion’s Tooth takes its name from the abundance of dandelions, often dismissed as weeds, that grow freely among the vines, a nod to the estate’s biodynamic ethos, where such plants are seen as vital contributors to soil health and ecological balance.
