Pegasus Bay is a pioneering, family-owned estate in the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury, established by the Donaldson family in the 1980s. With a strong focus on sustainable viticulture and low-intervention winemaking, the estate has gained international recognition for producing wines of depth, structure, and individuality.

‘Bel Canto’ is a reserve-style expression crafted only in exceptional vintages, where the grapes are allowed extended hang time and often develop noble botrytis. This approach, along with wild fermentation and ageing on lees, allows the wine to develop remarkable texture, intensity, and age-worthiness while retaining freshness and vibrancy.

The 2023 ‘Bel Canto’ opens with a luminous golden hue, hinting at the richness and concentration to come. Aromatically dynamic, the wine bursts with a vibrant interplay of tropical and citrus notes, pineapple, mango, and orange blossom lead the charge, followed by layers of quince, kumquat, and a subtle minerality reminiscent of wet river stones. On the palate, it strikes a beautiful balance between generosity and precision. A plush, textural mid-palate is enlivened by a cheeky whip of acidity and ripe phenolic grip, giving the wine both structure and energy. These elements funnel together into a persistent, mouthwatering finish that lingers with both elegance and intensity.