EON OF BENDIGO
PINOT NOIR
Eon is a premium brand born out of an incredible passion and patience to produce the finest Pinot Noir.
Genuine, innovative and contemporary, Eon Pinot Noir is a celebration of the stunning region of Bendigo, Central Otago.Priding ourselves on taking the time to do things right, our bold identity is reinforced through our notable and distinctive die cut design, featuring the hourglass. We know that pursuing perfection takes care and patience, and that is exactly what we put into our wine.
MEET THE MAKER
CLEIGHTEN CORNELIUS - WINEMAKERAfter completing a Bachelor's degree in Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University, Cleighten embarked on a global journey to refine his winemaking skills. From the prestigious vineyards of France's Chambolle-Musigny to the renowned estates of Germany's Rheingau, and the sun-kissed vineyards of Cyprus, Cleighten absorbed the nuances of each terroir, honing his craft along the way. Returning to his native New Zealand, Cleighten brought with him a wealth of international experience and a steadfast commitment to excellence. For over a decade, his unwavering focus has been “to make the best wine possible”.“Having a job where you only get one chance a year to perfect your art means that winemaking is both a challenge and continually evolving process; it is about experimentation and learning from each vintage.”As the steward of Eon Wines, Cleighten's expertise and dedication ensures that every bottle is a testament to the unique terroir of Bendigo. With patience, precision and passion, he crafts a Pinot Noir that embodies the essence of the region and reflects his love of this notoriously fickle grape, which he says keeps him honest.“Pinot Noir is great fun to make but will kick you if you do not respect it. It’s a team effort, requiring a lot of work from vineyard to winery. Ultimately, what ends up in the bottle reflects this.”
THE PLACE
Situated at 45˚ South, Central Otago is the world’s southernmost grape growing region, sharing distinct geographical and climatic conditions with other esteemed wine-producing areas including Burgundy and the northern Rhone in France, as well Oregon’s Willamette Valley, who all fall within latitudes of 45˚- 47˚ north.In a quest to find the perfect spot to cultivate exceptional Pinot Noir, we undertook extensive analysis of the broader Central Otago region. Our evaluations of soil, temperature and climate demonstrated the suitability of the Bendigo sub-region as the optimal location. Having narrowed down a sub-region, our meticulous and patient search lead us to the Claim 431 vineyard.Bendigo, located northeast of Cromwell and east of the Clutha River and Lake Dunstan, is the warmest sub-region in Central Otago, boasting a semi-arid climate.
It’s gently sloping, stony north-facing slopes enjoy warm summer sun, tempered by cool, crisp nights.
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