2023 Sato Wines La Ferme de Sato 'Les Violettes' Pinot Noir

Producer: Sato Wines  |  Region: Central Otago  |  Grape: Pinot Noir

About the Wine

"Sato Wines is one of several excellent wineries in Central Otago that made some of New Zealand's top releases from the 2023 vintage. The wines are totally handmade by the husband-and-wife team of Yoshi and Kyoko Sato. A number of their bottles stood out in our recent New Zealand Tasting Report, including the Sato Pinot Noir Central Otago La Ferme de Sato Les Violettes 2023."

"Aromas of al dente strawberries just ready to be picked mingle with hints of citrus and peaches, follow through to a medium body. This shows lovely fluidity, drinkability and finesse, yet the tannins are present with a long linear line at the end. 100% whole-cluster fermentation. Needs a couple of years to come together. Best after 2027."

96 Points, JamesSuckling.com

Sato’s Les Violettes 2023 is a finely detailed expression of Pinot Noir from the Sato Pisa Vineyard in Central Otago.

Grown on alluvial sandy and silt loam soils laced with schist and quartz gravel, the fruit is farmed with a strict no-spray philosophy—no pesticides, herbicides, systemic fungicides or inorganic fertilisers.

Hand-harvested across late March and mid-April, the grapes undergo natural yeast fermentation with 100% whole bunch inclusion, spending 26–30 days on skins to build structure and aromatic depth.

The wine is then matured for 21 months in seasoned French oak barrels, with no new oak influence, before being bottled unfined and unfiltered with only minimal sulphur added.

Pure, thoughtful and low-intervention, this is a limited release of around 1,800 bottles that captures both site and season with clarity and precision.

About Sato 

Sato Wines, founded by husband and wife Yoshiaki and Kyoko Sato, is one of New Zealand’s most compelling wine producers. After studying viticulture at Lincoln University in 2006, the couple trained at Felton Road and with European greats like Philippe Pacalet and Jean-Yves Bizot, grounding their approach in tradition.

They launched Sato Wines in 2009, initially as a négoce project, and began planting their own vineyard, La Ferme de Sato, in 2016. Completed in 2019, their minimalist winery in Central Otago reflects their commitment to biodynamic and organic practices.

Snapshot

Region: Central Otago

Country: New Zealand

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml

ABV: 13.2%

Closure: Screwcap

Grape: Pinot Noir