Woods Wines of Henley on Thames are proud to be distributors of the exceptional wines from Felton Road Winery in Central Otago, New Zealand.

The winery was bought by Nigel Greening, a self-described Pinot Noir "addict" from England, & has been farmed organically & biodynamically since 2000. 

Brilliant lemon gold with a seamlessly integrated nose; floral with subtle hazelnut notes and white peach. Minerality predominates over delicate lemon zest and crisp acid. 

Very textural on the palate, full not fat. Long, fresh and clean on the finish it has a good mineral quality and great ageing potential. A very Burgundian style.. This wine is unfined and unfiltered, a must Central Otago Chardonnay.

Crushed sea shells and delicate citrus blossom lead the focussed and detailed nose. The palate follows with a salinity and minerality that is subtle, complex and intriguing. Devoid of any overt wine-making characters, the wine offers a transparency that allows its unique vineyard origin of schist gravel soils to really shine and take centre stage. Refined and poised with serious precision.

The estate is farmed Biodynamically (an extension of organic farming) and adopts minimal intervention in the winery, with practices such as using wild yeasts and not fining or filtering the wine.  Block 6 is positioned on a gentle east facing slope immediately north of Block 3 on The Elms vineyard and was planted in 1992. Mendoza clone Chardonnay from Block 6 was whole bunch pressed and flowed immediately (without settling) by gravity to barrel in the underground cellar. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts in French oak (10% new oak) was followed by a long and complete malolactic over the spring and summer. After 17 months in barrel the wine was racked to tank for bottling in early-August 2016. The wine was not fined or filtered.

The 2020 Bannockburn Riesling has aromas of citrus peel and ginger combine with a distinct minerality. A burst of sweetness on first sip is immediately complimented by ripe stonefruit and mandarin flavours. The residual sugar quickly becomes secondary once the acidity and vibrancy of the fruit complete the harmonious mouthfeel. A tropical finish that lingers and intrigues. 

The 2020 Dry Riesling nose leads with white florals and crushed stones that overlay aromas of pear, cucumber and lemon zest. The palate is surprisingly expansive as the acidity perfectly integrates with the weight and depth of fruit. A bold and expressive dry Riesling with considerable drive and length. Salivating and contemplative of its schist soils origin. 

Their grapes are entirely grown in their own 'Elms Bannockburn Vineyard' which has a northerly exposure to help maximize ripeness.

Felton Road's winemaker Blair Walter's experience in Oregon & Burgundy has stood him in good stead for coaxing the best out of the property's vines. He adopts a 'hands off' approach to produce wines of elegance, complexity & exceptional depth of fruit.

Dark raspberry, hints of the leaves as well, with a touch of old cedar wood panelling. The palate is viscous and concentrated, displaying cane fruits that deftly integrate with an alluring savouriness. Fine, long tannins with no shortage of chew, but no harshness. This is at a level way above its Bannockburn “village” designation, being a blend of our four primely situated vineyards. A serious wine with considerable definition and poise.

Calvert Vineyard is located just two km east of the Elms Vineyard on Felton Road. With its low elevation (215-228 metres) and even soil distribution, the grapes ripen early and very consistently at Calvert Vineyard. Normally, the fruit ripens earlier than The Elms Vineyard due to its lower elevation. 

The characteristic aromatic florality is finely supported by mineral and spice notes on the nose. It’s seamlessly followed by a detailed palate that emphasises precision and elegance. The tannins are evident, but intricately refined and polished. The ethereal mouthfeel echos the aromatic florality with a finesse that we have come to know as unreservedly Calvert. 

Cornish Point is an old gold miners’ settlement located adjacent to the Hartley and Reilly diggings where the first large find of gold was made in the Central Otago gold rush. With the low elevation (193-202 metres) and proximity to the lake. The resulting wines display dense and dark fruit, with warm and inviting textures from usually softer acidities and rounded, well-formed tannins. 

Brambly forest floor, deep Eastern spice box and dark concentrated cherry aromas. The fruit intensity and plump richness that sings Cornish Point ultimately gives way to a pleasant and soothing rustic charm. An alluring and irresistible mouthfeel with a savoury intensity shining through the finish. Textbook Cornish Point; mouth-coating, silky, sexy and spicy!

Pinot Noir from the deepest parts of their Waenga soils extends across into Block 5, which also includes a band of clay in the middle and Lochar gravels at the very south of the Block. This generates a unique finesse and depth to the wine. 

The deeply fragrant nose offers sweet florals, cane fruits and exotic perfume. Signature lavender aromatics are at once bright and restrained. Broad ranging red fruits and vibrant sandalwood are presented over a crystalline structure and elegant framework. Mocha undertones lend intriguing hints of noble power with soft and feathery tannins offering persistence and poised balletic precision.