Shaky Bridge is a family winery on Dunstan Road in Alexandra, Central Otago, set between the town's famous Shaky Bridge over the Manuherikia River and the Alexandra Clock on the hill. Bill and Gill Grant planted vines on their 40 acre block there in 1973 to see what might happen, and by the end of the 1970s they had set up one of the first Pinot Noir vineyards in the region.
Their son Dave, who was born on that land, now owns the winery and makes the wine. He grew up in Alexandra, studied mining engineering at Otago, then worked with explosives in Australia before coming home in 1995 to manage the vineyards. After studying winemaking in Hawke's Bay he made his first wine in 1997. Pioneer Pinot is one of the winery's signature wines.
In the glass it shows dark cherry, roasted nut and a little game, with warm mushroom and floral notes behind. The palate has real weight and a velvety texture, with smooth tannins and a long, silky finish. Those savoury edges suit mushroom risotto, pan-fried venison or a wedge of aged cheddar. Serve it lightly cooled, closer to cellar temperature than room temperature.