Devotus Pinot Noir
New Zealand

Devotus is a small, family‑owned winery in Martinborough, New Zealand, dedicated exclusively to producing Pinot Noir. Its name, drawn from the Latin for “devoted”, reflects the philosophy of owners Don McConachy and Valerie Worsdale, who focus their efforts on a roughly three‑hectare vineyard. Farmed organically with biodynamic influence, the site is managed through a natural, hands‑on approach to viticulture rooted in traditional farming practices, with particular attention to cultivating soil health and fertility. The result is a highly expressive, pure, and textured Pinot Noir that has earned a strong following among collectors and enthusiasts.

History and Background

Devotus grew out of a deep respect for site‑expressive Pinot Noir and the belief that Martinborough’s Te Muna sub‑region could produce wines of comparable nuance to the great examples of Burgundy. The vineyard itself was originally planted in 1999, and in 2013 it was purchased by Don McConachy and Valerie Worsdale, who immediately committed to farming it with absolute focus and transparency of place. Their first Devotus release came from the 2014 vintage.

From the beginning, Don and Valerie have pursued a single objective: to understand and elevate the character of their one piece of land. Rather than shifting direction over time, their journey has been an ongoing deepening of knowledge about the site’s soils, climate, and natural rhythms. This singular dedication has made Devotus one of New Zealand’s notable examples of what true single‑site viticulture can achieve.

“Reminding many of the wines of Coche-Dury.”

by Charles Curtis MW, Decanter on the 00 Wines Chardonnays

Vineyard and Terroir

The Devotus vineyard sits on Te Muna Road, rooted in the free‑draining alluvial gravels that extend from the Martinborough Terrace. This area benefits from low rainfall, abundant sunshine, and cool nights, creating a long, even ripening season ideal for Pinot Noir. The vines are farmed organically with biodynamic influence, though not formally certified. Viticulture is entirely hands‑on, with very low yields achieved through careful canopy work and selective bunch thinning. The focus is always on vine health and soil vitality, ensuring the fruit reaches full physiological maturity. The resulting wines show concentrated fruit, refined structure, and a clear mineral thread that has become a hallmark of the Devotus style.

Winemaking Philosophy

The winemaking at Devotus follows a principle of minimum intervention, aimed at capturing the clearest possible expression of the vineyard. Fermentations occur with indigenous yeasts in small open‑top tanks, and extraction is gentle, relying on hand punch‑downs and careful monitoring rather than aggressive techniques. After fermentation, the wine is matured in French oak barriques for roughly eleven months, with a restrained proportion of new oak to preserve purity and balance. The wine is bottled without filtration and with little to no fining, maintaining its natural texture and aromatic detail. This measured, hands‑off approach ensures each vintage reflects the nuances of the season and the distinctive character of the Devotus site.

Signature Wines

Devotus produces different labels from their single vineyard, specifically identified as the Devotus Single Vineyard Pinot Noir and the Devotus Reserve Pinot Noir. Both wines are crafted from low‑yielding vines on the estate’s small Te Muna vineyard, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and matured with restrained use of French oak. The flagship Pinot Noir is known for its purity, tension, and mineral‑driven structure, while the Reserve is made from the estate’s oldest vines, including the 35‑year‑old Pommard clone and 30‑year‑old Dijon clone vines. Particularly in the 2021 vintage, the winemaker noted that “the overall style is one of low intervention, a pure expression of the 2021 vintage, of the Martinborough Terrace, and particularly of the vineyard”. Together, they represent the fullest expression of the Devotus philosophy: uncompromising focus on a single site, translated with precision and minimal intervention.

Recognition and Impact

Devotus has quickly earned a reputation as one of New Zealand’s most sought‑after small‑production Pinot Noirs. Its limited allocations, strong critical reception, and regular appearance in fine‑wine auctions have helped establish a loyal following among collectors. The estate’s commitment to organic farming, careful biodynamic influence, and minimalist, site‑focused winemaking has contributed to a wider appreciation for terroir‑driven artisanal wines in New Zealand. Within Martinborough, Devotus is often cited as a reference point for what a rigorously focused single‑site approach can achieve.

In essence, the story of Devotus shows the strength of a single‑minded vision. Each vintage reflects the intensity and purity of its Te Muna site, producing one of New Zealand’s most distinctive Pinot Noirs. With deep respect for their land, Don McConachy and Valerie Worsdale continue to let the vineyard guide their decisions, crafting wines that express their origin with increasing clarity year after year.

2017 Clos des Papes • Chateauneuf du Pape

He blends grapes from his different plots to co-ferment in large vats, after which he then re-blends in to large 20-55 hectoliter wooden foudres (casks) to mature for 15 months. New or small barrels are never used, “I like the oak to make an indirect impact – I only want tannins from the grape skins not even the pips and certainly not the stalks” says Avril. And though it may not be widely known, this domaine has been buying corks from the same producer in Portugal ever since 1926!

The wines are no doubt enticing, garnering great praise from many publications and critics such as Wine Spectator who awarded their 2005 vintage as “Wine of the Year”, stating that “in the Southern Rhône's recent trio of great vintages starting with 2003, no other Châteauneuf-du-Pape domaine has produced better wines than Clos des Papes”. But the accolades don’t stop there, as Robert Parker followed on to pronounce the 2007 vintage “the greatest Chateauneuf du Pape made since 1978 and 1990”.

We at Ginsberg+Chan are extremely proud to be the exclusive distributors of Clos des Papes, and with good volumes of both red and white back vintages too, we can ensure you a wide range of drinking windows for your cellar.

Available Wines From Devotus Pinot Noir