Ernie Hunter, an Irishman, and his Australian wife Jane planted the first vines at Hunter's in Marlborough in 1979. Ernie died in 1987, and Jane carried the winery forward, later becoming the first woman inducted into the New Zealand Wine Hall of Fame. Her nephews Edward and James Macdonald now lead it, and the winery is still family run from Rapaura Road, Blenheim.
Offshoot is the label for the next generation. It takes its name from the new shoots on the vine, and uses the best grapes from the Hunter's vineyard to experiment and push the house style in a new direction.
The Pinot Noir is a fruit forward Marlborough wine, showing ripe plum and wild berry with a rich texture and a supple finish. Soft tannins sit alongside earthy undertones and a little spice. It drinks well now and can be cellared for around five years. A grilled pork chop, roast chicken or a mushroom and gruyere tart would all work with it.