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Felton Road: Winemaking differences remaining in same-vintage block comparison
This is a producer in Bannockburn, Central Otago, making Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling. They manage their estate vineyards organically and biodynamically, and also produce site-specific Pinot Noirs such as Elms Block 3 and Block 5.
In 2022, we will compare blocks 3 and 5 not only in terms of soil, but also for whole bunch ratio and barrel aging conditions.
Questions for this course
If there are two bottles from different vineyards, can all flavor differences be attributed solely to terroir?
Before you start reading, briefly jot down your thoughts. You will rephrase them at the end.
To applied practice using the material ↓
To explanation task notes ↓Felton Road / Learning from Producers
New Zealand / Central Otago / Bannockburn
Alternate names & notations: Felton Road
Updated: 2026-10-06
Two parcels within the same vineyard
Both Blocks 3 and 5 are north-facing parcels in Elms. 3 features deep silt and limestone layers, while 5 has loess, silt, lacustrine clay, and variations such as schist. Even within the same vineyard name, soil is considered parcel by parcel.
Whole bunch proportion also differs
For 2022, Block 3 is 25% whole cluster, Block 5 is 20%. Even for the same producer, variety, and vintage, the handling of fruit going into the fermentation vessel is not exactly the same. This adds another condition to examine if you notice differences.
List the conditions for barrels
Block 3 is aged 13 months with 30% new oak. Block 5 is aged 16 months with 29% new oak. Although the percentage of new oak is similar, the aging period differs by 3 months. It is useful for learning about parcel differences, but this is not a comparison where all other factors besides the site are constant.
What to align and what to compare.
Vineyard
- Conditions to standardize
- Elms, north-facing, 2022, PN
- Conditions for comparison.
- Soils of Blocks 3 and 5
- Additional points to confirm
- Other viticultural conditions
Fermentation
- Conditions to standardize
- Same producer, year, grape variety
- Conditions for comparison.
- Whole bunch 25% and 20%
- Additional points to confirm
- Do not make it just a comparison of plots
Aging
- Conditions to standardize
- French oak barrels
- Conditions for comparison.
- 13 months and 16 months, 30% new barrels and 29%
- Additional points to confirm
- Separate duration from new oak proportion
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Felton Road Reading materials: Winemaking differences remaining in same-vintage block comparison
Check and compare the region, raw materials, and process from the materials, and explain what can be learned from the comparison.
Comparative tables are based on the source’s target year and the explanation at the time of verification. Descriptions without year specifications are not treated as specifications common to all harvest years or shipped portions.
| Comparison items | Block 3 2022 | Block 5 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Whole bunch proportion | 25% | 20% |
| Barrel aging. | 13 months | 16 months |
| New oak ratio | 30% | 29% |
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What are the common conditions?
Both Blocks 3 and 5 are north-facing parcels in Elms. 3 features deep silt and limestone layers, while 5 has loess, silt, lacustrine clay, and variations such as schist. Even within the same vineyard name, soil is considered parcel by parcel.
What is the 2022 whole-cluster proportion?
For 2022, Block 3 is 25% whole cluster, Block 5 is 20%. Even for the same producer, variety, and vintage, the handling of fruit going into the fermentation vessel is not exactly the same. This adds another condition to examine if you notice differences.
What are the differences in barrel ageing?
Subtracting 13 months from 16 months gives 3 months, meaning Block 5 has a longer period. Block 3 is aged for 13 months with 30% new oak. Block 5 is aged for 16 months with 29% new oak. Although the percentage of new oak is similar, the aging period differs by 3 months. This is useful for comparing the differences between plots, but it is not a comparison where all conditions other than land are controlled.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Check and compare the region, raw materials, and process from the materials, and explain what can be learned from the comparison.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Block 3 2022 | Block 5 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Whole bunch proportion | 25% | 20% |
| Barrel aging. | 13 months | 16 months |
| New oak ratio | 30% | 29% |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
List both the matching and differing conditions in the comparison between the two labels, and explain why the effect cannot be attributed only to land.
Check after writing
- Show common conditions first.
- Match the plots to the correct vinification values.
- Compare new barrel ratio and maturation period separately.
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