Beyond

by Bell Hill

Beyond by Bell Hill is a passion project driven by a desire to explore the unique terroir of New Zealand.

photo-beyond_wines

Beyond by Bell Hill began with Vintage 2023, when the snow, sleet and katabatic frost of October 2022 provided a catalyst to look beyond our own site. It opened an opportunity to explore vineyards we have long held in high regard, to work with friends and colleagues whose sites and viticulture we respect, and to learn from their understanding of those places.

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the heartbeat of what we do, and Beyond allows us to follow these varieties into different sites, soils and regions around New Zealand. We work only with organically farmed vineyards where the pedigree of the site is matched by a serious commitment to intensive viticulture and detail in the vineyard. Where we find something compelling, there is reason to return, continuing to build our understanding of the site, fruit and wine over time.

 

These wines are available in strictly limited quantities, by enquiry only. For more information about how to purchase or stock these wines please contact us directly. 

 

 

Beyond Muirkirk PN Low Res

BEYOND by BELL HILL
MUIRKIRK, BANNOCKBURN
PINOT NOIR 2023

Bannockburn is a unique sub-region of the Central Otago wine landscape. The single site, Muirkirk Vineyard, shows a lovely balance being situated on the lower side of Felton Road. These lower slope clays give water holding capacity and help in the warm part of the growing season, temperatures also being cooled by the proximity to the Kawarau River Gorge. Structure on one side, with elegance on the other and a fresh crunchy fruit expression typifying the site.

Beyond Bendigo PN Low Res

BEYOND by BELL HILL
BENDIGO, CENTRAL OTAGO
PINOT NOIR 2023

Friendship is at the core of this wine, we are so grateful to Rudi and Suellen of Quartz Reef for their kind gesture, after losing our 2023 crop to spring frost, offering us grapes from Quartz Reef. An emotion that made us realise what friendship means! Grapes from the person who pioneered the Bendigo sub-region, grown on steep slopes with loving care, organics and biodynamics. A wine that captures the uniqueness of site, powerful and at the same time elegant!

Beyond Southern Valleys PN Low Res

BEYOND by BELL HILL
SOUTHERN VALLEYS, MARLBOROUGH
PINOT NOIR 2023

From the Ridge Vineyard, a site that sat right on the cusp of Wairau Valley gravels and Southern Valley clays – meeting each other, giving fine clay on well-drained subsoils. Elegance not power, perfume and refinement are the hallmarks of this high-density vineyard. 2023 was the last year of production before the vineyard was turned back into pasture. A liquid obituary

Beyond Clayvin CH Low Res

BEYOND by BELL HILL
CLAYVIN, MARLBOROUGH
CHARDONNAY 2023

Clayvin is a pioneer in Marlborough, a hillside vineyard with 5000 vines/ha on deep, layered clay soils. Organically farmed, the low yield from the over 30-year-old vines expresses the site with a deep structure, yet light on its feet, due to a fine tension from the acidity – a long and pure wine that opens up with time. Decanting is recommended.

Recent Reviews

Stephen Wong, Real Review, June 2026

Beyond By Bell Hill Clayvin Southern Valleys Marlborough Chardonnay 2023

A hint of flinty minerality is followed by a soaring, spacious bouquet that marries smoky oak with grilled lemon, salt crust, white peach and apple blossom notes in a distinctly modern fashion. The palate is sleek and tapered, the driving acidity barely contained within a shell of chalky phenolics and restrained, floral, white fruit and citrus flavours which show very sustained length. A late hit of white pepper spice adds to the intrigue. Meticulously tailored with nothing out of place, this is nearly approachable but will reward mid-term cellaring with added nutty, toasty and savoury complexity. 2026-2036. 96 Points

Beyond By Bell Hill Southern Valleys Marlborough Pinot Noir 2023

A whiff of flinty reduction lifts to unveil earthy spice notes of juniper, black plum and pepper. The light-weight palate is rather closed and oaky with woodsmoke and charred meat, giving an impression of brooding darkness. The palate is firm with amaro tannins and harbours an astringent touch of medicinal seed spice which will need time to resolve, making it chewy and awkward at this stage. Under the austerity is a light, distinctly mineral wine with wet stone and steely reserve. 2028-2036. 93 Points

Beyond By Bell Hill Muirkirk Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2023

Perfumed, lifted herbal aromas sweet marjoram and dried flowers soar over fruit notes of wild strawberry, rosehip and cascara. This is an elegant and energetic, mid-weight pinot with notably driven acidity and tight structure which finishes with woody vanilla sweetness. Closed and currently unevolved, this resides in the red fruit spectrum but has a lot of coiled power which will see it develop and unclench over the next decade or so. 95 Points

Beyond By Bell Hill Bendigo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2023

Initially closed and restrained on the nose. Vigorous swirling coaxes out wet stone, earth, smoky spice and vanilla which ultimately lift to reveal a compact heart of black cherry, coffee and olive. The creamy palate is expansive with layers of floral complexity surrounding the compact core of sleek, powerful tannins and well-balanced, etched acidity. Very impressive length; everything is in place here for it to unfold slowly into a beautifully majestic pinot. 96 Points

JamesSuckling.com, 6 October 2025

Beyond By Bell Hill Southern Valleys Marlborough Pinot Noir 2023

Subtle aromas of black cherries, strawberries and flint follow through to a medium body with flint, graphite and dried rose stems. It’s very spicy, with cloves at the end. Plenty of character. An excellent new wine from NZ’s famous Bell Hill. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 95 Points

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