Embracing the Unpredictable: How Jeremy McKenzie Masters the Mystery of Pinot Noir

At Isabel Estate in New Zealand, McKenzie balances charm and complexity, crafting wines that capture the essence of place—from a "fickle beast" of a Pinot Noir to a Sancerre-inspired Sauvignon Blanc.

Isabel Estate is leading the charge in making dramatic New Zealand Pinot Noir.

Jeremy McKenzie has embraced the unpredictable nature of Pinot Noir.

The winemaker at Isabel Estate in New Zealand is up for the challenge of nurturing the thin-skinned variety in the vineyard. McKenzie wants to showcase Pinot’s varied traits, capture its nuances and tell the story of Isabel Estate.

It’s an exciting time to enter the New Zealand Pinot Noir scene. The island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 miles southeast of Australia, is at the vanguard of Pinot Noir production. It has embraced all the mystery Pinot has to offer—fruit flavors, spice notes, and stunning aromas—all while maintaining very affordable prices.