Pegasus Bay is unique in that it excels in both Riesling and Pinot Noir, this 38-year-old vineyard is based in Waipara Valley of North Canterbury. It was set up by neurologist Ivan Donaldson, who gained his wine knowledge whilst studying in London for his medical degree with numerous trips to Burgundy and being guided by one of Hugh Johnson’s wine books, given to him by his then girlfriend and now wife Christine.
Once back in New Zealand, Donaldson evolved his wine experience joining a few friends making experimental wines and planted his first vines in 1976 in Christchurch, before in 1986 setting up shop further South in Pegasus Bay.
Ed Donaldson and Roger Jones (l-r), Quo Vadis, June, 2025
The long, lingering autumns of the region allow these Riesling grapes to hang longer especially for the Reserve wines. The Estate Rieslings have a small proportion of botrytis grapes to give its unique style. This style of wine is very European, and certainly with the reserve wines are ideal with fine dining and offer excellent value compared to some of the star names from Alsace and Germany.
The Pinot Noirs are sourced from numerous plots, highlighting the various clones (up to 12) that have been planted over the years, with the older vines leading the way. The wines are kept separate in oak barriques for at least 15 months before blending starts.
Tasting the Pinot Noirs
Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2021
Bright, fragrant cherry nose, with a delicate floral palate, it is focused clean and savoury. Pegasus Bay Pinots tend to have a fuller spice profile, I found this perfectly balanced with great poise. As it evolved in the glass – you find cocoa spice, truffle and gamey notes coming forward, with refreshing dark berry notes. The finish is succulent and seductive.
The 2021 Pinot was a great match with the lamb
Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir Aged Release 2015
Subtle and perfectly evolved, seamless, I loved the purity and freshness of this wine. Pomegranate, cloves and spice, black olive, juicy venison notes. This is very elegant and a joy to taste, as it opens on the palate there is a refreshing red berry uplift giving it a complete feel of savoury and fruit in balance with a fine minerality.
Pegasus Bay Prima Donna Pinot Noir 2020
Prima Donna is only made in exceptional years. This wine is spiced with elegant rippling fruit, there is a lovely vibrancy to this Pinot, full of exciting depth and a real purity, a hint of Smoky Bacon crisps, dark but pure berry fruit; this will age well but is already showing sheer class.
Pegasus Bay Prima Donna Pinot Noir Aged Release 2015
Beautiful berry perfume, raspberry, plum and pomegranate in harmony. Delicate chestnut mushroom, refined tapenade, this is a real “Gevrey” style. A layered, complex wine of great beauty, it is both rich and refreshing, a velvety ‘pure class’ wine. Hints of fresh truffle on the finish, with rhubarb and pomegranate freshness.
Tasting the Rieslings
Ed Donaldson noted that the long lingering autumns in North Canterbury make this an ideal playground for making the perfect Riesling. The Bel Canto is part of its ‘Reserve’ series again made only in exceptional years, where the fruit is given extended hang time, but with delicate care to keep the purity and keep a tiny touch of spritzig, and that classic orange peel note.
Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Dry Riesling 2024
This vintage is unusual in that it has no botrytis, thus there is no classic Pegasus ‘orange peel’ attributes, this is lime-forward, clean, focused with that edgy minerality making it quite unique, so much so that Ed Donaldson proclaimed that if this was to happen again he would set up a new label for it.
On the palate the wine evolves with crisp pineapple chunks, quince, lime curd and lime zest. There is a freshness and elegance to this wine that shines, leaving a lovely concentrated but fresh finish.
Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Dry Riesling 2017
A pretty special vintage, with the pickers going in ten times over six weeks hand picking bunches. That classic ‘Pegasus’ orange blossom and orange marmalade essence hits you with great pleasure, this is rich and ripe but carries that classic purity and focus. Mouth-filling but refreshing, apricots, ginger and allspice all mingle on the palate in harmony.
Pegasus Bay Riesling 2024
Mandarin and lime zest on the nose, evolves into lemon, kiwi, kaffir lime and oriental floral notes. Crisp but full flavoured, a Germanic style Riesling that has great purity and freshness. clean tropical notes and a crisp apple finish.
Pegasus Bay Riesling Aged Release 2015
This has evolved beautifully – think lime marmalade on gentle grilled brioche – with hints of tropical fruit such as mango and lychees with jasmine and beeswax. It is concentrated, has a crispness that gives it a perfect off-dry finish and shouts out elegance and precision.
Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling 2024
Aria is part of the ‘Reserve’ series and is the sister act to the Bel Canto. White peaches and white nectarines, honeysuckle, zingy lime and lemon curd; a full throttle luscious wine perfect for that strong Munster or Eloise cheese. Incredible texture carries the sweet forward fruit, producing a fabulously intense but perfectly poised wine.
Pegasus Bay Finale Noble Semillon Sauvignon 2019
Again, only made in special years this is a full on ‘Noble Riesling’, giving a luxurious fruit forward style that was a perfect ‘Finale’ to a wonderful tasting and lunch with Ed Donaldson (matched to an almond tart).
That menu in full
As the sun was shining, the wines shone even more, these are world Class wines sourced from a special part of the beautiful South Island of New Zealand.
Exports now not only include the fast-expanding South Korea and Thailand markets but also Burgundy and, of course, the UK being a key export market.
The wines of Pegasus Bay are imported and sold in the UK through New Generation Wines which is a commercial partner of The Buyer.
