The 2026 Akarua Pinot Gris is dry and medium-bodied, it has aromas of peach blossom and with a long finish of ripe pear. It's a lovely wine for anyone who likes aromatic whites with balance and a fine mineral thread.
In the glass it shows a pale lime yellow, clear and bright. The aromas on the nose are pretty and perfumed, with elderflower, apricot and a faint hint of caramel. The palate brings sweet nashi pear (the crisp, juicy Asian pear) and lychee, lifted by zesty lemon, with a biscuit note that adds some richness.
This is a wine for those of us who enjoy an aromatic white with some texture, and it makes a good weekend wine because the dry style is easy to enjoy. This wine would pair well with fresh seafood and soft cheeses.
Akarua is Māori for "two vines", a nod to the pinot noir and chardonnay that were first planted on the estate.
What it tastes like
This wine has a dry, medium-bodied palate with good balance. Akarua describes the fruit as peach, nashi pear, lychee and apricot, set against lemon zest and a savoury biscuit note. A delicate mineral streak runs through the middle and carries into a long finish of ripe pear.
Style at a glance
- Body: Medium
- Sweetness: Dry
- Acidity: Fresh, with a zesty lemon lift
- Texture: Supple, with a mineral thread
- Style: Dry, perfumed and medium-bodied
Food to enjoy this with
- Fresh oysters and sashimi
- Grilled prawns with lemon
- Roast chicken with herbs
- Soft cheeses such as brie or camembert
- Thai green curry, where the dry style and gentle fruit calm the heat
- Pork and apple dishes, where the pear and biscuit notes echo the flavours
Who makes it
Akarua was founded in 1996 by Sir Clifford Skeggs, a former Dunedin mayor. The vineyard sits in the Cairnmuir area of Bannockburn, at the foothills of the mountains, and covers 52 hectares.
Edmond de Rothschild Heritage Wines, a Bordeaux-based company, now owns Akarua. Baroness Ariane de Rothschild visited Bannockburn to oversee the start of organic production at the estate.
About the vintage
Sophie Preece reported in NZ Winegrower that Central Otago's 2025/26 season was the most varied one winemaker Matt Connell had seen in his 21 years in the region. A cooler February, more rain and wind than usual, and less January and February heat slowed ripening, and harvest ran behind a typical year.
Even so, Matt Connell reported "really good flavours" across the region and was optimistic about the harvest.
When to drink it
Akarua recommends cellaring this through 2028.
Technical details
| Winery: |
Akarua |
| Wine: |
Akarua Pinot Gris 2026 |
| Vintage: |
2026 |
| Variety: |
Pinot Gris |
| Region: |
Central Otago (Bannockburn) |
| Country: |
New Zealand |
| Cellaring: |
Through 2028 |
Where to buy
For international delivery to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, the Akarua Pinot Gris 2026 is available from our winenz.com website. For delivery within New Zealand, buy it from thewineryonline.co.nz. You can also buy it at our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores, alongside a large range of New Zealand and international wine. On both websites and in both stores you can select a mixed case from a large range of wines, and if you are visiting from overseas, we can ship it home for you.
Questions we are often asked
Is Akarua Pinot Gris 2026 dry or sweet?
Yes, it's dry. The sweet-sounding peach and lychee flavours come from ripe fruit, not sugar.
What does Akarua Pinot Gris taste like?
Expect peach blossom, elderflower and apricot on the nose, then nashi pear, lychee and lemon zest on a medium-bodied palate.
How long can I cellar Akarua Pinot Gris 2026?
Akarua recommends cellaring it through 2028.
Where does Akarua Pinot Gris come from?
It comes from Bannockburn, a sub-region of Central Otago in New Zealand's South Island.
Where can I buy Akarua Pinot Gris 2026?
The Winery ships Akarua Pinot Gris 2026 internationally from winenz.com to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, and delivers within New Zealand from thewineryonline.co.nz. You can also buy it in our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores.
