The majority of Akarua’s 100 hectares of vineyards are located in the prestigious Bannockburn sub-region in Central Otago. Established in 1996 when founder Sir Clifford Skeggs planted the first vines, Akarua is now the largest family owned winery in the region. Focused on producing world class pinot noir and sparkling wines at their own purpose built winery, the continued accolades and attention are a testament to the stunning quality of their wines.
Akarua
AKARUA
Akitu
Our 12 hectare family-owned vineyard sits alone at 380 metres above sea level on a stunning north-facing slope in Central Otago’s Upper Clutha basin. Here we are obsessively dedicated to the production of exceptional Pinot noir, so obsessed that it’s all we grow. We planted the vineyard in 2002, and launched our label Akitu – which in Maori means the apex or highest point – in 2012.
AKITU
Allan Scott
Allan Scott is one of the true pioneers and a name synonymous with New Zealand’s acclaimed Marlborough region. Located on Jackson’s Road, Marlborough surrounded by 80 hectares of premium vineyards, Allan along with wife Catherine founded the Allan Scott Family Winemakers label in 1990 quickly becoming a household brand name in the highly competitive wine industry. Today the entire family are involved heading up the production and marketing management of the company with a highly skilled operational team.
ALLAN SCOTT
Amisfield LP
Amisfield was established in 1988, we are a specialist producer of pinot noir and aromatic white wines created from fruit grown on our estate vineyard beneath the Pisa Mountain range in the Cromwell Basin. Our privately owned company’s 200ha property, once a prominent high country merino station, is one of the largest single vineyard estates in the region. Over 80ha is currently planted with the majority of the vines being over ten years old.
AMISFIELD LP
Ara Winery
ONE PLACE. PURE MARLBOROUGH.
Wines that reflect the purity from the place they come from.
Ara defines our philosophy. It is Māori for pathway and captures our journey and connection with our Marlborough home. Sitting on the edge of the world Marlborough’s extreme climate can present challenges. However, our winemaking and viticulture teams embrace challenge –and use it to create intensely flavoured wines that illustrate our ‘Ara’ or path on the edge of the world.
Join us on www.facebook.com/arawines
ARA WINERY
Astrolabe Wines
Astrolabe Wines was established by a group of friends in 1996, as Simon Waghorn’s own label. Astrolabe produces a range of wines that express the purity and intensity of fruit flavours naturally afforded by the climate and soils of Marlborough. All grapes are sourced from unique Marlborough sites, carefully chosen to add complexity and completeness in the wines. Simon’s skill and accumulated experience capture the essence of Marlborough in wines of purity, focus and elegance.
ASTROLABE WINES
Ata Rangi Vineyard
Ata Rangi is a small New Zealand winery with an enviable international reputation for Pinot Noir. It is owned and managed by a family trio – Clive Paton, wife Phyll and Clive’s sister Ali. Clive planted the first vines on a small, stony sheep paddock at the edge of the Martinborough village in 1980 as one of a handful of people who pioneered winegrowing in the area.
ATA RANGI VINEYARD
Bald Hills
Isao Mita brings to Bald Hills his passion and commitment to
continuing the highest standards and attention to detail in wine production.
With a philosophy based in the Japanese respect for nature, Bald Hills
is embracing it’s conversion to organic production founded in the principles of the Soil Food Web. Renowned Pinot winemaker Peter Bartell is actively involved in vineyard decision making thereby bringing our aspirations to fruit
ion.
BALD HILLS
Bell Hill Vineyard
Bell Hill, so named for its shape as viewed from the south, is an old lime quarry steeped in natural history. The two hectare vineyard uses Burgundian vineyard architecture with a high plant density of 9,090 to 11,363 vines/ha. Drawn by the pure, chalky limestone soils and calcareous clays, we seek to reflect the characteristic expression of our site and soil in the wines we make, looking for consistent quality, fruit concentration and expression of terroir.
BELL HILL VINEYARD
Bellbird Spring
Bellbird Spring is a wine estate owned by the Porter family in North Canterbury. We craft small parcels of fine wine to accompany great food. Our vineyards are maintained using organic practices. We make aromatic white and red wine using traditional techniques. Our Pinot Noir comes from a range of clones, to produce complex wines made by Guy Porter. Wines are typified by the use of indigenous fermentation, extended maceration and ageing in French oak.
BELLBIRD SPRING
Big Sky Wines
We started Big Sky Wines in 2005. We had returned to New Zealand from living in France, and we knew the time was right to pursue our long-held ambition – to make world class, hand crafted wines, that give true expression to the character of their place. We were drawn to the Te Muna valley. It’s a very special place, ideal for growing Pinot Noir — we think one of the best in the world. We look forward to showing you our wines soon…
BIG SKY WINES
Black Estate
Black Estate is a remarkable place for wine – three hillside vineyards on clay and limestone soils in North Canterbury. We’re family owned and operated. Nicholas Brown oversees the grape growing and makes the wine and Pen his wife manages the business. Viticulture is intense, organic and hands on and our winemaking is gentle and guiding. We want to make wines that are true to their individual site – wines with natural balance, structure and character.
BLACK ESTATE
Blind River
The small Blind River vineyard is in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley. It occupies a sheltered spot at the foot of gentle, rolling hills overlooking the picturesque valley floor. Planted with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, the soils are deep, stony clay with seams of free-draining, clay-mixed gravels on river terraces. The vineyard is split into blocks with each treated separately and the corresponding wines individually handmade, ready for blending to achieve the ultimate Blind River style.
BLIND RIVER
Brancott Estate
Brancott Estate is the pioneer of the Marlborough winegrowing region, planting the first Sauvignon Blanc vines on Brancott Vineyard and creating the first Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, now one of the world’s favourite wine styles. As well as exploring new expressions of Sauvignon Blanc, we also pioneered Marlborough Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Gris. Brancott Estate wines are crafted by determined, passionate winemakers, supported by talented viticulturists who nurture and sustain our precious vineyards.
BRANCOTT ESTATE
Brennan Wines
The Brennan Family planted vines in Gibbston in the mid ‘90’s, and in 2006, Sean made his first wines under the Brennan label. Family owned and operated, the grapes are 100% estate grown and are made on-site. “We make single vineyard wines that are true to sea son and place. We age our wines to allow the fine Gibbston tannins to evolve and soften, becoming more elegant on release”.
BRENNAN WINES
Brightwater Vineyards
Brightwater Vineyards is the premium boutique vineyard and winery of
Gary and Valley Neale, located 20 minutes west of Nelson “the Sunshine
Capital of New Zealand”.
All our wines are estate grown, handcrafted in our modern winery,
bottled onsite and are 100% sustainable. Our philosophy is to produce sophisticated wines that show clarity , purity and precision, complimented by elegant complexity.
“New Zealand Winemaker of the Year 2012″
“Champion Pinot Noir Trophy – Air New Zealand Wine Awards
2015″
BRIGHTWATER VINEYARDS
Burn Cottage Vineyard
Burn Cottage Vineyard is a unique 11 hectare vineyard and wider farm in Central Otago.
Predominantly planted in Pinot Noir and incorporating the diversity of 10 clones; there is also a tiny planting each of Riesling and Gruner Veltliner. The vineyard and it surrounds have been farmed from inception using biodynamic me thods. Burn Cottage winemaking is also a very natural process, with the aim of producing the finest wine – the truest reflection of the vineyard and its complexities.
BURN COTTAGE VINEYARD
Carrick
We sit firmly in the old County Riding of Carrick in Bannockburn, Central Otago. Our vines have toiled away in our glacial schist soils for over 20 years, producing estate grown wines of precision and texture. From 2008 we have maintained an organic viticulture and winemaking regime, certified through BioGroNZ. Our wines are all produced in our on-site winery and mature gracefully in the underground cellar. They reflect the place where they are grown and made.
CARRICK
Catalina Sounds
Based at our Sound of White vineyard in Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley, Catalina Sounds pays homage to New Zealand’s famous and largest war bird, the Catalina, which played a critical role during and after World War II. At Catalina Sounds we draw inspiration for our wines from these graceful, unique flying boats and the respect they garner throughout the world. Our philosophy is focussed upon creating wines of great honesty and purity whilst also incorporating subtle texture and complexity.
CATALINA SOUNDS
Chard Farm
Chard Farm is a small family owned winery located close to Queenstown in Central Otago. Chard Farm is one of the pioneer Central Otago vineyards, its first vintage was in 1989. Since then Chard Farm has been at the forefront of developments in Central Otago, producing many critically acclaimed wines.
Chard Farm is dedicated to crafting fine and pure expressions of Pinot Noir from its five estate vineyards located in the sub-regions of Gibbston, Lowburn and Parkburn.
CHARD FARM
Churton
Churton was established in 1997 by Sam and Mandy Weaver.From site selection and bio-dynamic practices through tolow intervention winemaking, Churton produces exceptional terroir driven wines.
Churton is a 22 hectare single vineyard and encompasses an undulating ridge line between the Omaka and Waihopai valleys in Marlborough, New Zealand.Dedicated to producing just four varietals (sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, viognier and petit manseng), the Churton vineyard in composed of 18 singular blocks each with its own unique aspect and topography.
CHURTON
Clos Henri Vineyard
Nestled under the southern foothills of Marlborough’s Wairau Valley, Clos Henri Vineyard is organically farmed by the famous Sancerre winegrowing family of Henri Bourgeois.
Gathering 10 generations of know-how with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, the family uses the best of French and New World winegrowing techniques. Clos Henri Vineyard captures the essence of Marlborough’s intense character from its three different soil types and reveals the identity of its unique terroir.
CLOS HENRI VINEYARD
Clos Marguerite
Clearly a very small vineyard by NZ standard. Committed to create unique, age-worthy wines, Marguerite and Jean-Charles grow their fruit on narrowly spaced rows of manicured vines. Handpicked, the grapes are crushed in the onsite gravity-fed winery. The resulting wines are a true reflection of the terroir, producing subtle yet intense, food-driven styles. The name refers to this “enclosed” and all-inclusive wine-growing concept.
CLOS MARGUERITE
Cloudy Bay
In 1985, Cloudy Bay captivated the wine world with its fresh, aromatic and vibrant Sauvignon Blanc. The estate continues its drive for excellence in the Marlborough region and, since 2010, in Central Otago with powerful Pinot Noirs. Innovation, meticulous attention to detail and regional expression are the guiding principles of Cloudy Bay. The Cloudy Bay team is committed to producing ‘wines of region’ and strives to enhance the pure flavours and stunning vibrancy, naturally afforded by both sites.
CLOUDY BAY
Cloudy Bay (Te Wahi)
In 1985, Cloudy Bay captivated the wine world with its fresh, aromatic and vibrant Sauvignon Blanc. The estate continues its drive for excellence in the Marlborough region and, since 2010, in Central Otago with powerful Pinot Noirs. Innovation, meticulous attention to detail and regional expression are the guiding principles of Cloudy Bay. The Cloudy Bay team is committed to producing ‘wines of region’ and strives to enhance the pure flavours and stunning vibrancy, naturally afforded by both sites.
CLOUDY BAY (TE WAHI)
Coney Wines
Coney Wines is all about quality… and family. Everything from the vineyard to the winery to the restaurant is done by hand, and done by a Coney hand at that. Tim, Margaret and daughter Lisa
work together to ensure that only the highest quality product makes it to your mouth!
And so the old-fashioned notion that small is beautiful, that honest sweat produces happiness turns out to be our guiding principle.
work together to ensure that only the highest quality product makes it to your mouth!
And so the old-fashioned notion that small is beautiful, that honest sweat produces happiness turns out to be our guiding principle.
CONEY WINES
Kim Crawford (Constellation Brands)
Our Small Parcels wines are micro-cuvées representing the very best of what New Zealand’s pristine, cool-climate vineyards can produce. They often reflect a specific site, expressing a unique terroir in a special way.
Each wine is a rare, handcrafted, world-class gem for enthusiasts and collectors.
The Kim Crawford Small Parcels Rise and Shine Pinot Noir is named after Rise and Shine Creek, which runs through the heart of Central Otago’s once famous gold mining area.
KIM CRAWFORD (CONSTELLATION BRANDS)
Corofin
Corofin is the artisan winemaking project of Mike and Anna Paterson, which evolved to tell the story of some pretty special Marlborough Pinot sites. It has become a collaboration with farmers whose vineyards have and will produce fruit that acts as a beacon of individual terroir. The hope with all Corofin wines is to transmit a sense of place and season first, over fruit intensity or winemaking ambition.
COROFIN
Craggy Range
Craggy Range is a family owned winery established in 1997 situated in the shadow of the spectacular Te Mata Peak in the premium wine growing area of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Based on the single vineyard philosophy of winemaking, Craggy Range produces a portfolio of quality wines including the iconic Prestige and Family collections, as well as Limited Editions all reflecting the place and the people.
CRAGGY RANGE
Crown Range
Crown Range Cellar is not your typical wine company. We don’t just make wine, we take the best New Zealand has to offer and create something quite special with it. We deal in exceptional produce, working with exceptional artisans and the best makers of wine. We combine to create a company that celebrates everything premium New Zealand has to offer.
Our hard work was rewarded when our Signature Selection Grant Taylor Pinot Noir 2013 received the IWSC Trophy for best Pinot in 2015
CROWN RANGE
Decibel Wines
Daniel Patrick Brennan wandered through Europe and America with a band of musicians before discovering Martinborough Pinot Noir while docked at his family’s restaurant in Philadelphia. He set sail again to New Zealand where he studied a new craft, with new instruments. Decibel wines are now sent on ships around the world and the journey never ends.
DECIBEL WINES
Dog Point Vineyards
Dog Point is a small family owned label located at the confluence of Marlborough’s Brancott and Omaka Valleys, producing regionally distinctive wines with a point of difference. All fruit is estate grown, low cropped and handpicked. Winemaking techniques combine both modern and traditional approaches, producing hand crafted, high quality wines that will age respectably. The company produces four wines from three varieties; two styles of Sauvignon Blanc, one of which is barrel aged, a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir.
DOG POINT VINEYARDS
Domain Road Vineyard
Domain Road has two vineyards located on Felton Road and Domain Road, Bannockburn, Central Otago.
Originally drawn to the area because of Central Otago’s legendary hot summers, Graeme and Gillian Crosbie found it also to be an ideal place to grow grapes. The unique vineyard microclimates produce high quality Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc wines. Domain Road wines, grown and crafted with a dedication to excellence and a traditional hands-on approach.
DOMAIN ROAD VINEYARD
Domaine-Thomson
The cockerel and kiwi in Domaine-Thomson’s symbol represent the two countries from which we produce wine.
The theodolite symbolises Central Otago – an important place in our brand from the beginning. The theodolite was used by David’s great-great-grandfather during his surveying expeditions in the south.
The scallop comes from the fireplace of the home of owners, PM Chan and David Hall Jones, on one of the routes of El Camino de Santiago. The scallop has long been popular with pilgrims to the shrine of the apostle St James in Santiago de Compostela.
DOMAINE-THOMSON
Dry River
Dry River vineyard was established in 1979 by Dr Neil and Dawn McCallum.
With vines planted on the northern boundary of the Martinborough township, Dry River aptly describes the very arid, gravely and free-draining site. They produce wines of optimal phenolic ripeness that truly reflect the site and vineyard. With Wilco Lam as Chief winemaker since 2013, Dry River continues to build on its reputation as one of New Zealand’s most iconic pioneering wineries.
DRY RIVER
Escarpment Vineyard
Escarpment’s aim is simple: to continually produce the very best of tomorrow’s definitive New World wines. “Complexity” “texture” and “structure” are key words. Under Larry McKenna’s leadership the team aims to reward wine lovers with progressive and suggestive wines that encourage them to venture to the edge of wine appreciation. Escarpment offer three ranges of Pinot Noir. The Single Vineyard Insight Series, Escarpment district blend and The Edge Pinot Noir.
ESCARPMENT VINEYARD
Esk Valley Estate
Founded in 1933 Esk Valley Estate is one of the oldest and most historic of Hawkes Bay’s wineries. The Estate is nestled into a small vine filled valley enjoying panoramic views over the Pacific Ocean. Esk Valley’s wines have been at the forefront of New Zealand wines since 1986 and have lead the way in creating many new wine styles, evidenced by the introduction of a Merlot in 1989, Malbec to our blend in 1992 and Verdelho in 2002.
ESK VALLEY ESTATE
Felton Road
Felton Road is a small, artisan producer of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. Established in 1991, Felton Road quickly acquired a formidable global reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading premium wine producers. The four estate vineyards are located in Central Otago’s Bannockburn sub-region and are all farmed biodynamically (Demeter certified). The wine making is subtle and respectful; with an emphasis on carefully crafting site expressive wines to best express their unique vineyard origins.
FELTON ROAD
Folding Hill
At Folding Hill our approach to winemaking is based on the traditional philosophy and practices of the ‘Old World’. We believe that hand picking optimally ripe fruit and then gently guiding it through vinification with as little intervention as possible allows us to produce elegant wines with flavour and structure that authentically reflect the special place they come from – wines that really are “Handmade from Central Otago”.
FOLDING HILL
Forrest Wines
Doctors John and Brigid Forrest are Forrest Wines; a small, ‘hands-on’ producer of premium quality wine. Leaving behind careers in molecular biology and medicine, they returned to Marlborough in 1988 to establish their first vineyard.
Grape growing and winemaking is an exacting science, however it must have the artistic touch to give the wine’s ‘soul’. That individual expression of style is the trademark of our wines – rich aromatic white wine, and powerfully scented reds.
FORREST WINES
Framingham
Framingham estate was planted in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley in 1980. The first wines were made under the Framingham label in 1994. Taking fruit from both our own estate vineyard and selected sites nearby, we make a range of expressive and individual wines with a strong tradition of winemaking for balance, texture and complexity.
FRAMINGHAM
Fromm Winery
Fromm Winery was founded in 1992 by Georg Fromm, a fifth generation Swiss grape grower and winemaker. Georg’s European viticultural practices and ideals are still carried on in the vineyards today. Fromm Winery prides itself on making dense, concentrated wines of great authenticity, purity, and balance. Fromm has built a reputation as one of New Zealand’s top wine producers. The Winery is also fully certified organic.
FROMM WINERY
Gibbston Valley Winery
A maelstrom of creativity and vineyard diversity and has seen a blossoming of Gibbston Valley’s production. Where there was one in 1987, there are now eight Pinot Noirs given full voice. Established mature vineyards mark the Gibbston subregion; high altitude Bendigo sites the rest. Lo fi winemaking, slavish devotion and avid interest in the product has kept the team rapacious. Diversity, we say, is expression, not confusion. Or maybe both.
GIBBSTON VALLEY WINERY
Giesen Wines
Giesen believe in Marlborough Pinot Noir. Their hands-on viticulture in the organic Clayvin and Ridge Vineyards creates wines that tell the story of terroir. Pinot Noir in these iconic vineyards has multiple root stocks, different soil, elevation, aspect and water. Giesens Single Vineyard Pinot Noir reflects these differences. Meticulous viticultural practice is supported by hands off winemaking that allows the wine to speak of place. This precision ensures Giesen Single Vineyard Pinot Noir are wines of texture that articulate their origin.
GIESEN WINES
Gladstone Vineyard
The first and foremost vineyard at Gladstone, in the heart of the Wairarapa. Gladstone Vineyard is a family business with an international reputation for distinctive, high quality wines of finesse and complexity. Committed to growing it vines and producing wine in a thoughtful and environmentally responsible manner, Gladstone Vineyard’s focus is simply to craft beautiful wine that expresses the exceptional characteristics of the soil, the climate and the region.
GLADSTONE VINEYARD
Grasshopper Rock
Grasshopper Rock is the story of five families focused on establishing one of Central Otago’s greatest single vineyard wines. Established in 2003 and dedicated exclusively to Pinot Noir with a singular focus producing just one wine. 140 years ago, in April 1875, the Tuapeka Times reported “The grapes grown at Como Villa, Alexandra, this season stamp that locality as eminently adapted to the growth of the vine”. The best of the Como Villa was purchase by Grasshopper Rock in 2002 and the rest is history.
GRASSHOPPER ROCK
Greystone Wines
Greystone draws its name from the unique limestone conglomerate that forms the bedrock of its vineyard. This mix of seashells, fossils, pebbles and limestone were thrust out of the ocean around 100,000 years ago to form the Omihi hills of the 37 hectare vineyard, planted in 2004. Our goal is to express this terroir through wild ferments, some in the vineyard itself, with fruit returned to the rows to ferment in the open air.
GREYSTONE WINES
Greywacke
Named after New Zealand’s prolific bedrock, Greywacke (pron. Greywacky) is the personal venture of Kevin Judd, whose career is intrinsically linked with the global profile of NZ wine. Sourcing prime organically farmed fruit from mature hillside vineyards in the Southern Valleys, the greywacke team use low-intervention winemaking to create pinot noir hallmarked by its fragrance, concentration and individuality. Kevin’s signature vineyard photographs provide the unmistakable identity of the Greywacke range – the synthesis of his dual passions.
GREYWACKE
Hans Herzog Estate
As the name suggests, Hans Herzog’s roots lie in Switzerland where the family has grown wine since 1630. Now nestled in the heart of Marlborough, Han Herzog’s craft from vine to wine takes place organically, onsite with minimal intervention. With an eclectic array of 29 different grape varieties, Hans has adopted an experimentalist stance, producing highly acclaimed, low yielding, age worthy wines on his 11.5 hectare vineyard. All for the love of wine, naturally.
HANS HERZOG ESTATE
Jackson Estate
As modern pioneers, Jackson Estate has been in the business for over 25 years, quietly getting on with hand crafting premium wines with elegance, finesse and longevity.
With total respect for our land and focussing on low cropping levels, small batch fermentation, single vineyard fruits and minimal winemaking intervention, we strive to achieve incremental improvements year on year, in a sustainably responsible way.
We remain 100 percent kiwi-owned and are staying put on our perfectly balanced soils, growing our beautifully mature vines in this incredible Marlborough climate.
JACKSON ESTATE
Johner Estate
Our 25 hectare block was purchased In Gladstone just north of Martinborough in 2001. Mainly planted with Pinot Noir & the balance in classic varietals. We believe that the final wine quality is influenced by the site & soil management. We produce handcrafted distinctive styles with the emphasis on traditional Burgundian wine making techniques.
JOHNER ESTATE
Jules Taylor Wines
You can’t have a wine label named Jules Taylor without having a Jules Taylor. Jules is the eponymous winemaker, the dreamer, the motivator and godmother to several hundred thousand little grapes. Born and bred Marlburian, Jules has seen the transformation that the wine industry brought to the region and with this life long association she brings to her winemaking an intimate understanding of the interplay between the grape and Marlborough’s variety of climates and soils.
JULES TAYLOR WINES
Julicher Estate
Julicher Estate is a 15 hectare vineyard on Te Muna Road Martinborough, producing around 5 thousand cases of wine per year. Winning three Champion Wine of the Show Trophies since 2007 and numerous other awards for Pinot Noir, Wim Julicher says success is due to location on Te Muna Road, ideal terroir, and a talented winemaker. With a Dutch work ethic for perfection, Wim prides himself on being meticulous in everything he does on the vineyard.
JULICHER ESTATE
Junction Wines
Junction Wines: single vineyard range, from the wind swept, stony gravels of the Takapau Plains. Hand harvested fruit exposed to Central Hawkes Bay’s long hot dry season and cool nights make these intense aromatic wines distinctive and unique. The vineyard is located 250 metres above sea level; believed to be the highest vineyard in Hawkes Bay with grapes grown on Takapau silt loam soils; a free draining red metal soil. Pinot Noir is our passion and the award winning Body and Soul Pinot Noir strives to emulate this.
JUNCTION WINES
Kalex Wines
Kalex Wines produce beautiful, low volume wines from small parcels of premium grapes. Specialising in Pinot Noir & Riesling we also occasionally produce spectacular Chardonnay and single varietal Brut Rose. Our quality derives from meticulous standards and the unique approach of our winemaker, Theo Coles. With minimal intervention, Theo encourages the wines to express their own sense of place; resulting in romantic, complex wines, full of character that stand out from the crowd.
KALEX WINES
Kono Beverages - Aronui Wines
From the leading Māori owned wine company, and whanau that brought you Tohu Wines. The word Aronui derives from Māori mythology about the pursuit of knowledge, including the arts and working with the land. Whenua matua means significant land and is the name of our Aronui vineyard, located in Nelson’s Upper Moutere, one of New Zealand’s most exciting boutique wine regions. Caring for our land is fundamental to our people, both our owners and staff.
KONO BEVERAGES - ARONUI WINES
Kono Beverages - Tohu Wines
Tohu Wines is the world’s first and most recognised Māori owned wine company. Our winemaking philosophy is to create wines that capture the flavours of each region’s unique landscapes, whilst upholding respect and protection of the land for future generations. Our vineyards are certified Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, and we see this as an integral part of our values, working with the environment without compromising quality and integrity.
KONO BEVERAGES - TOHU WINES
Kumeu River
Respect, patience and adaptability……Each is an integral part of the Kumeu River success story, not only in the making of a good wine, but also in the making of a thriving family business run since 1944. Kumeu River has gained international awards and accolades and have been considered world class by a number of international wine commentators. The premium quality wines are a result of time, tradition, and a genuine love of the wine trade.
KUMEU RIVER
Lawson's Dry Hills
Hills, who from a humble, yet pioneering start over 20 years ago, create today’s a range of world-class wines.
We live and breathe every part of the process with our hands-on, sustainable approach, from nurturing the grapes in our vineyards through to every aspect of the winemaking process.
We talk, we taste and we talk some more, pouring our shared inspiration into every bottle. And with the global awards we receive every year, this collaborative and inquiring approach seems to make quite a difference.
LAWSON'S DRY HILLS
Left Field - Te Awa Collection
Our whimsical approach to exploration, creativity and imagination is embodied in Left Field Wines. It is the birthplace of the unexpected, the weird and wonderful. Winemaker: Richard Painter
LEFT FIELD - TE AWA COLLECTION
Lime Rock Wines
Established in 2001 at 270m above sea level on limestone slopes in Central Hawkes Bay, Lime Rock is producing some stunning Pinot Noir vintages on this unique site. The vineyard is managed to protect ecological processes (vit-ecology) and follows a philosophy of minimal disturbance to the soil, so no cultivation (ploughing). The wines have been described as having a burgundy character, with good structure and texture and great length on the palate.
LIME ROCK WINES
Loveblock Vintners Ltd
Loveblock was forged from a love affair with a view. Perched right on top of the hills overlooking Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, it is far removed from the agricultural bustle in the valley below. From here you can almost see the end of the planet, the peace lifts you above your troubles. Together, the unique terroir and integrated farming practice speak with a naked voice of place and time through wine. Grown and made with love and care.
LOVEBLOCK VINTNERS LTD
Mahi
Mahi is a relatively small Marlborough winery with a focus on single vineyard wines to show the diversity of the region. Aiming at subtle, textural and complex wines by messing around with the grapes as little as possible, we work with great growers, utilise lots of hand-picking, sorting and wild ferments to help achieve this. An excellent team of wine-loving staff and vintage crew continue to inspire.
Martinborough Vineyard
Established in 1980 with the objective of producing world class wines, Martinborough Vineyard is one of the pioneers of Pinot Noir in both Martinborough and New Zealand.
With some of the country’s oldest vines, we are proud to create Pinot Noirs that speak of our special place and show great depth, complexity, and elegance. Our philosophy is “Handcrafted Excellence in Wine”, and over the years we are proud to have stayed small, consistent and quality driven.
MARTINBOROUGH VINEYARD
Matua Wines
Established in 1974 by innovative Kiwi brothers Ross & Bill Spence, Matua is a pioneer of the New Zealand wine industry. As first producer of NZ Sauvignon Blanc, Matua helped put NZ on the global stage. Now, Matua has a reputation for crafting exceptional Pinot Noir. With Chief Winemaker Nikolai St George, Matua has won Champion Winemaker of the Year three years running*.(*Royal Easter Wine Show 2013 & 2015, New Zealand International Wine Show 2014)
MATUA WINES
Maude Wines
Maude is a family owned wine company created by husband and wife winemaking team, Dan & Sarah-Kate Dineen, producing Maude and Mt Maude wines from their winery in beautiful Wanaka, Central Otago.
The Mt Maude wines are all single vineyard expressions from our flagship 23 year old Wanaka family estate which lies on the steep north-facing slopes of the picturesque Maungawera Valley, looking up at the mountain from which it takes its name.
MAUDE WINES
Misha’s Vineyard
Misha’s Vineyard is spectacularly located on Lake Dunstan in the Bendigo sub-region of Central Otago. The sun drenched north-west facing terraces of the 57 hectare estate provide optimal conditions for producing world-class Pinot Noir and aromatic whites. Andy & Misha Wilkinson established the vineyard in 2004 with a ‘no compromise’ philosophy requiring exacting viticulture, hand-picking and considerate winemaking with Olly Masters as winemaker. Named one of New Zealand’s Top 20 Wine Producers by Decanter (UK).
MISHA’S VINEYARD
Mount Edward
The majestic mountains and lakes of the Southern Alps are home to Mount Edward. Our winery, situated in Gibbston, just east of Queenstown, has its vineyards amongst the foothills of the Pisa Range and on the banks of the Kawerau river in Bannockburn. Mount Edward, part of the Central Otago wine community since 1998, is BioGro certified organic with this philosophy at its heart. Owned and managed by the Buchanan and Forsyth families since 2004, our winemakers Anna Riederer and Duncan Forsyth craft wines that are textural, restrained, and speak of our place here in Central Otago.
MOUNT EDWARD
Mt Beautiful
Mt. Beautiful wines are the expression of the wild, rugged and breathtakingly scenic region of North Canterbury. Certified-sustainable and estate-grown, these distinctively restrained wines let the pure terroir shine through. World-renowned scholar/entrepreneur and New Zealand native David Teece, together with his wife Leigh, spent two years searching for just this spot, where they could pioneer an undiscovered region and fulfil their dream of bringing the best of New Zealand to the world.
MT BEAUTIFUL
Mt Difficulty Wines
Established in 1992, Mt Difficulty owns some of the oldest vineyards in the Bannockburn region of Central Otago, New Zealand. This unique area of extremes is ideally suited to crafting wines that speak with a sense of place. Our philosophy combines ethical viticulture with minimal intervention allowing the wine to express its personality and reflect its home.
MT DIFFICULTY WINES
Mud House
Our founders set sail to travel the world; only to fall in love with New Zealand. After planting vines they used the local earth to build their home. Two decades on, we continue to celebrate the spirit of striking out and breaking boundaries. Wherever you are in the world look out for our distinctive wines and celebrate your taste for adventure.
MUD HOUSE
Murdoch James Estate
For us, it started when founder Roger Fraser worked on a friend’s vineyard in his College holidays. From there, Murdoch James Estate was born in 1986. Starting with just himself, wife Jill and 3 hectares of land, today there are 4 family members involved, plus 4 extended family, and the land under vines is 50 hectares. Our family values of integrity, hard work, teamwork and love for our land are intertwined in all we do.
MURDOCH JAMES ESTATE
Nanny Goat Vineyard
Nanny Goat Vineyard is named after the wild goats that roam the mountainous terrain of the Central Otago – a region of climatic extremes with typically hot summers, short autumns and bitterly cold winters – challenging conditions for producing world class cool climate wines. Since 2005 Nanny Goat Vineyard focused solely on producing premium Central Otago Pinot Noir. 2012 heralded the addition– Chardonnay and Syrah, along with the highly successful inaugural release of our ‘Super Nanny’ Pinot Noir.
NANNY GOAT VINEYARD
Nautilus Estate
Established in 1985, Nautilus Estate is a small, family-owned, pioneering winery in the stunningly beautiful Marlborough region. Nautilus is one of the few in the region that has remained under the same family ownership for over thirty vintages. An enthusiastic and innovative team led by winemaker Clive Jones combine characterful vineyard plots with state-of-the-art facilities to craft expressive, textural, long-lived wines that are designed to be enjoyed with good food and good company.
NAUTILUS ESTATE
Neudorf Vineyards
Neudorf Vineyards –Pinot Noir NZ 2017 Neudorf’s Pinot Noir vines are dry farmed and organically grown. The initial plantings were in 1979 and their roots search down three metres or more into the clay gravel soils of the Moutere hills, unirrigated for for 30 years. Under the stewardship of winemaker Todd Stevens the wines are elegant and focused with a notable savouriness and minerality. They have proven longevity.
NEUDORF VINEYARDS
Nevis Bluff Wines
Nevis Bluff wines are sourced from the L’Attitude Vineyard in the Pisa sub-region of Central Otago; a region famed for long, hot summer days and cool nights. A slow ripening period produces intense fruit flavours, resulting in wines with rich aromatics, concentrated complexity and understated elegance. It is this unique terroir and philosophy to select only premium grapes, combined with a natural winemaking approach that produces these exceptional wines.
NEVIS BLUFF WINES
Ostler Vineyards Limited
Ostler Vineyards Ltd is a pioneer in New Zealand’s newest and smallest wine region – Waitaki Valley, North Otago.
They are becoming known internationally, with awards in Hong Kong, Shanghai and the UK. These include 2010, 20 11, 2013 consecutive trophy awards in London at the International Wine Challenge for Caroline’s Pinot Noir. As the best known wine from the Waitaki Valley, they consistently demonstrate a different style to those from Central Otago neighbours. Less fruity, more complex and savoury, good acidity and balance.
OSTLER VINEYARDS LIMITED
Palliser Estate Wines
Palliser Estate in Martinborough is a boutique vineyard with an international outlook. For over two decades our people have been looking after our corner of New Zealand, producing quality wine for the world to enjoy. Palliser Estate is a leading winery in the ultra premium grape-growing region of Martinborough. The Palliser Estate and Pencarrow labels are consistently great wines – a fact to be celebrated. We manage the whole winemaking process here on the estate, to produce wine that continues to taste great.
PALLISER ESTATE WINES
Pegasus Bay
Pegasus Bay is owned and operated by the Donaldson’s, Pioneers of the Canterbury wine industry. Ivan and Christine established the vineyard in 1985, and today Ivan oversees viticulture, Christine curates the breathtaking gardens, Eldest son Matthew is winemaker, Edward is marketing manager while his wife Belinda managers the winery restaurant, and youngest son Paul is GM. 12 different clones of Pinot Noir represent a third of the plantings with most now 30 years of age.
PEGASUS BAY
Peregrine Wines
Peregrine Wines is a boutique, artisan producer of a premium range of wines, with a focus on Pinot Noir. Located in the southernmost grape growing region in the world at latitude 45 South in Central Otago, the heart of New Zealand’s South Island, Peregrine has gained a reputation as one of New Zealand’s iconic wine brands. The Peregrine wines are named in honour of New Zealand’s endemic falcon, a bird that combines both power and finesse, the essence of Peregrine’s wines.
PEREGRINE WINES
Poppies Martinborough
The essence of Poppies Martinborough is simply making wines that show the character and evoke the varietal flavour and purity of expression from the land and the hands of the maker, a simple philosophy of creating wines in what we believe to be their truest form. There are no consumer fads or current trends followed just the honest believe that the individual wines are made to reflect us, express the variety and what Mother Nature has created; I guess their Terroir.
POPPIES MARTINBOROUGH
Prophet's Rock Wines
The name ‘Prophet’s Rock’ is taken from a local landmark at the claim of pioneering goldminer Bob Prophet. It is a name that reflects our new world setting; perched on the edge in the southernmost wine growing region on earth.
Our Two vineyards were established in 1999: Bendigo and, subsequently, Rocky Point. Both are steep and elevated: Bendigo with its rare mix of soils and Rocky Point with its stony ground and almost treacherous slopes.
PROPHET'S ROCK WINES
Pyramid Valley Vineyards
After 15 years of extensively travelling the world, Mike and Claudia Weersing finally found their Pyramid Valley site in North Canterbury New Zealand. The home vineyard was established biodynamcially in 1999 and has been planted in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on scarp slopes, at a density of 10,000-12,000 vines per hectare. “Every gesture made in the vineyard and winery, is a summons to this spirit of place. Biodynamics, hand-based viticulture, low yields, natural winemaking – these are some of the means we’ve adopted better to record and transmit this voice”.
PYRAMID VALLEY VINEYARDS
Quartz Reef
Specialising in premium Central Otago Single Estate Methode Traditionnelle, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir; Quartz Reef showcases the proven winemaking talents of Austrian-born Rudi Bauer. Grown on a unique Pioneer site in the beautiful sub-region of Bendigo; certified Demeter Biodynamic in 2011; with higher plant density and less yield per vine, allowing more intense flavour development and rewarded with a more mature, rich yet elegant expression of a unique parcel of land.
QUARTZ REEF
Rippon
Rippon is a singular piece of land on the shores of Lake Wanaka, Central Otago. The Mills family has been farming Rippon for over 100 years and growing wine since 1982 and the focus for all who live and work here is to do justice to this remarkable piece of land and keep it alive for the generations to come.
RIPPON
Rock Ferry Wines
Established in 2005 and named after a landmark site on Marlborough’s Wairau River, Rock Ferry is a family owned organic wine estate with vineyards in Marlborough and Central Otago. Owned by Tom & Fiona Hutchison, Rock Ferry employs the exceptional talents of winemaker Allan McWilliams who turns his skills to wine styles from two of the premier winegrowing regions of New Zealand. Specialising in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Central Otago Pinot Noir, Rock Ferry makes several versions of these world renowned wine styles: from entry level to ultra-premium.
ROCK FERRY WINES
Saint Clair Family Estate
Founders Neal and Judy Ibbotson have been growing grapes in Marlborough since 1978. Desire for knowledge and an aim of producing the highest quality has led to harvesting grapes from selected vineyards in many sub-regions of Marlborough. The ability to grow the best grapes on the best sites combined with open minded viticulture and winemaking practices has assisted with cementing the reputation of the family owned winery as being a leading New Zealand wine producer.
SAINT CLAIR FAMILY ESTATE
Schubert Wines
A world search, which also included France, Germany, North and South America as well as Australia for the ideal area with perfect conditions for viticulture, especially for Pinot Noir, brought Kai Schubert and Marion Deimling, graduates of the German Viticulture and Oenology University in Geisenheim to the Wairarapa, New Zealand. Schubert vineyards are closely planted and the unique climate produces low yields and internationally award winning wines with intense and complex character; predominantly exported to currently 36 countries.
SCHUBERT WINES
Seresin Estate
Founded in 1992 by cinematographer Michael Seresin, Seresin Estate has been farmed organically since 1994 and has operated under 100% biodynamic principals since 2006. The vines are hand-tended and encouraged to have an inner strength to counter disease and pests. The fruit is hand-picked and naturally fermented, with a minimum of intervention. This allows us to create wines that are expressive, complex and unique – just like the handprint that you’ll see on the label.
SERESIN ESTATE
Sileni Estates
In ancient Greece the Sileni were companions of Dionysus, the god of wine, vineyards and theatre. When there was something to be celebrated, the Sileni were always on hand to encourage enjoyment of delicious food, great wine and social interaction. Named in their honour, Sileni Estates produces a range of wines made to be great collaborators, with a talent for enhancing flavours and textures. Sileni is proud to represent Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir – New Zealand’s best kept secret.
SILENI ESTATES
Spy Valley Wines
New Zealand, family owned winery ‘Spy Valley’ has derived its name from the presence of a satellite communications monitoring station in Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley – a spy base. Nine varieties of grapes are grown over 400 acres to produce premium fruit for Spy Valley Wines. Unlike the world of espionage, Spy Valley’s wine has demanded global attention, the wine has been called “impossible to ignore” and the company “among the planet’s 20 most notable new producers.”
SPY VALLEY WINES
Staete Landt Wine Company Limited
At Staete Landt we produce wine for the top end of the market, which is the segment of exclusive and (super) premium wines. With our team of passionate wine people we are highly committed to our land, our soils, our vines and our wines. We believe the best wines are wines with personality, texture, complexity and great balance. This is what we aim to achieve in our vineyard and in our wines.
STAETE LANDT WINE COMPANY LIMITED
Stoneleigh
What was once an ancient stony riverbed has, over time, become much more. The distinctive stone-studded Rapaura soils of our vineyards create a wine style that is fresh, crisp and vibrant – the flavour of Stoneleigh. Started by nature and finished by the talents of the Stoneleigh winemakers, our philosophy of minimum intervention in the winery ensures that the vibrant flavours of Stoneleigh are captured in each and every bottle.
STONELEIGH
Tarras Vineyards
Tarras Vineyards is near the township of Tarras. The home vineyard, called The Canyon, is high up on the former goldfields of Bendigo.
Established by Hayden Johnston in 2002, this organically managed vineyard consistently delivers outstanding expressions of great pinot noir with floral aromas, intense fruit, savory notes, good acidity and impressive tannins. They are distinctive, icon wines that age.
In exceptional vintages, limited, single vineyard wines are sold as Tarras The Canyon Pinot Noir.
TARRAS VINEYARDS
Te Kairanga Wines
Te Kairanga Wines was established in 1984 and is dedicated to producing Estate grown Martinborough wines. With two thirds of our vineyards planted in Pinot Noir we aim to produce wines with a true sense of Martinborough that provides a fine balance between depth and elegance. Recently Te Kairanga has been revitalised with new ownership, new winemaking and new presentation. Owner Bill Foley has a clear vision for the future – to be producing benchmark Pinot Noir.
TE KAIRANGA WINES
Te Whare Ra Wines
Te Whare Ra (TWR) is a small, organic-certified vineyard and winery located in the Marlborough sub-region of Renwick. The 11Ha vineyard was first established in 1979, and is owned by winemakers Anna & Jason Flowerday. We want our wines to express their place – to speak of a “somewhere-ness” rather than of a “same-ness”. This is achieved with a blend of old and new world winemaking and a hands-on approach in both the vineyard and winery.
TE WHARE RA WINES
Terra Sancta
Terra Sancta means special place – our goal is to capture the essence of our privileged vineyard sites in each Terra Sancta wine. With four vineyards and our winery based in the premium Central Otago subregion of Bannockburn, our soul is the Terra Sancta Estate on Felton Road – the oldest vineyard in the sub-region, planted in 1991. Every wine is consistently linked to a particular part of Terra Sancta and like our unique labels, crafted to to convey a story of provenance, place and personality.
TERRA SANCTA
TerraVin Wines
TerraVin is a Marlborough winery with a dedicated focus on growing and making world class hillside Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
The TerraVin Hillside Vineyard is a gently sloping north facing vineyard on the back of the Southern Wither Hills. It has a unique maritime microclimate that delivers exceptionally elegant pinot noir. The vineyard is afforded expression through low yields, hands on viticulture and wine maker Gordon Ritchie’s intuitive approach.
TERRAVIN WINES
The Boneline
The ancient geology of giant creatures, the permeating past, limestone alluvial “soils”, 25 year old vines, riverside multi-terraced site of steep banked amphitheatres, which regularly ripens 8 varietals including cabernet reds. Mix of old Swiss and younger Dijon Pinot Noir clones, individual ferments, handworked in onsite winery. Great attention to detail in vine and wine care by all. The love shows through in these wines, Pinot Noir is deep within the heart of this place.
THE BONELINE
The Crater Rim
The Crater Rim is a family-owned winery situated in the rolling hills of Waipara. We grow, make and market limited quantities of terroir-specific wines from the region. Our wines are produced from sites carefully selected for their particular mix of topography, soil and microclimate – creating high quality, site-specific wines of individual character and drinkability. We work closely with each vineyard to ensure that vines are cropped low and managed sustainably, guaranteeing the best quality fruit possible from each site. These are exceptional wines from exceptional places.
THE CRATER RIM
The Elder Pinot
The Elder Pinot is grown on old river terraces over looking Martinborough’s Te Muna valley. We began planting in 1999, waiting for the vineyard to mature before releasing our first vintage in 2010. The elevation, stony soils and vine selection, combined with exacting canopy management and sustainable practices allow us to produce very small crops of intense flavour. The result is complex, elegant wines that consistently emphasize the refined characteristics of great pinots.
THE ELDER PINOT
Thornbury Wines
Thornbury was established in 1997 with the intention of creating quality New Zealand wines to inspire wine lovers around the world – wines that celebrate life and give pleasure. Thornbury wines are produced from five of New Zealand’s most premier wine-growing regions. Our aim is to craft perfect expressions of each of our chosen varieties. We’ve searched the most prestigious districts of the country and successfully identified sites that enable us to create a selection of fine varietal wines.
THORNBURY WINES
Tongue in Groove Wines
This label brings the knowledge of six friends into a beautiful collision with the best vineyards in one of the most exciting wine regions. Our Pinot Noir vineyard ‘Cabal’ is a clay and limestone vineyard on the north facing slopes of the Omihi Hills. We practice low intervention wine-making – natural yeasts, minimal handling, no additions, filtering or fining, light filtration for clarity and stability. Our headquarters is the organic, permaculture property called The Food Farm in the heart of the Waipara Valley.
TONGUE IN GROOVE WINES
Two Paddocks
Diminutive but distinctive foot prints of excellence throughout our great Pinot Noir region.
Two Paddocks was established in 1993 by actor, Sam Neill, with just two hectares of pinot noir – The First Paddock. Two Paddocks now encompasses four small vineyards in the major sub-regions of Central Otago – Gibbston, Bannockburn and Alexandra. Grapes are organically grown by a full time Two Paddocks Vineyard Crew. Red Bank Farm & Vineyard is the Two Paddocks polycultural Mothership – home to pigs, cattle, sheep, lavender and saffron.
TWO PADDOCKS
Two Rivers of Marlborough
Established in 2004, Two Rivers of Marlborough takes its name from the iconic rivers that feed Marlborough’s Wairau and Awatere Valleys.
Winemaker, David Clouston, selects the finest parcels of fruit from the banks of the Wairau and the Awatere rivers to craft his wines to express the different microclimates unique to these two rivers.
The aim at Two Rivers is to capture and emphasise Marlborough’s intense power, while producing complex, elegant wines with a slight European flair.
TWO RIVERS OF MARLBOROUGH
Urlar
Urlar is a family owned boutique winery nestled in the Gladstone sub region of the Wairarapa. Wine for us is about passion and fun and we hope that this comes through in our wines. The vines are tenderly loved and grown organically. We are one of only a few producing certified organic wine. Wine that is good for you and our beautiful land.
URLAR
Valli Vineyards
“When you drink a Valli Wine, you are enjoying more than just a wine: you are experiencing a place.” – Grant Taylor, Winegrower Valli is the personal vocation of pioneering Otago winemaker, Grant Taylor, whose name is synonymous with Otago Pinot Noir. Established in 1998 and based around the estate vineyard in Gibbston, Valli creates premium Pinot Noirs and Rieslings from different Otago subregions that reflect the vineyards from which they come.
VALLI VINEYARDS
Vidal Estate
In 1888 Anthony Joseph Vidal arrived in New Zealand as one of the first winemakers to appreciate the natural potential of Hawkes Bay. He established Vidal Estate in 1905 and his commitment to crafting classic, elegant wines remains an inspiration to this day.
Today’s Vidal Estate winemaker, Hugh Crichton has two key philosophies; minimal intervention allowing transparency of vineyard and vintage to bottle and the pursuit of “food friendly” wines exhibiting balance, concentration and elegance.
VIDAL ESTATE
Villa Maria Estate
Sir George Fistonich, owner and founder of Villa Maria since 1961. Our 100% New Zealand owned family heritage drives Villa Maria’s passion to produce quality wines with minimal impact on the environment. Our continual improvement philosophy, astute site selection, superior vineyard management complemented by expert winemaking established Villa Maria as New Zealand’s most awarded winery for the past 30 years, and recently as the 4th most admired wine company in the world (Drinks International, 2015).
VILLA MARIA ESTATE
Waipara Hills
At Waipara Hills our winemaking philosophy is simple. It’s about creating perfect balance, encouraging the characteristics of each season’s fruit to shine, whilst celebrating South Island vineyards. The result is wine that is rich, textural and bursting with complex flavour.
From the vineyards to the winery, our team are hands on in perfecting their craft, pouring a little of themselves into everything they do. Discover the Soul of the South with Waipara Hills.
WAIPARA HILLS
Waitiri Creek Wines Ltd
‘Opulent’, ‘stylish’, ‘distinctive’, ‘bold’, ‘hedonistic’, ‘elegant’, ‘wine to fall in love with’ – just some of the descriptions applied to Waitiri Creek Pinot Noir in recent years..
Established in 1993, we produce single vineyard Pinot Noir from Gibbston, Central Otago which displays sophisticated flavour profiles, balance, suppleness and finesse. Sustainable principles are applied in the vineyards and winemaking.
WAITIRI CREEK WINES LTD
Wither Hills Vineyards
Established in 1994, with vineyards strategically sited throughout Marlborough’s Wairau Valley, Wither Hills has always been dedicated to the philosophy that exceptional wines are created in the vineyard.
Named after the southern landmark range of Wither Hills that border our vineyards, our focused, hands-on approach to winegrowing allows us to make a range of wines that reflect our passion for the ‘place where we stand’.
Named after the southern landmark range of Wither Hills that border our vineyards, our focused, hands-on approach to winegrowing allows us to make a range of wines that reflect our passion for the ‘place where we stand’.
WITHER HILLS VINEYARDS
Wooing Tree
Award winning Wooing Tree is a family owned vineyard in the heart of Central Otago, where we specialise in making pinot with passion. With numerous accolades, medals, and trophies, our wine has quickly won the hearts of wine lovers and writers around the world. The Wooing Tree, a local landmark, sits prominently in the middle of the vineyard. The tree has long been a popular place for locals to woo their lovers.
WOOING TREE
Yealands Family Wines
By 08.08.08, through a bold vision and a capacity for sheer hard work that few could comprehend, Peter Yealands was standing alongside his world-leading carboNZero CertTM Yealands Estate winery with his sights firmly set upon becoming the world’s most sustainable wine producer. Combining the very latest cutting-edge green technology and highly innovative thinking, the Yealands name has quickly became synonymous with a passion for crafting ultra-premium wines in the most environmentally-friendly manner.
YEALANDS FAMILY WINES
Zephyr
The name Zephyr characterises the prevailing wind that complements Marlborough’s unique ripening season. Zephyr wines embrace the dynamic spirit of the Glover family and the lively aromatics of the estate vineyards in the Dillon’s Point sub-region. The Glover family vineyards, planted in 1985 alongside the meandering Opawa River, have inspired the family’s passion for wine. This is a personal project for Ben Glover; winemaker, wine judge and enthusiastic Pinot Noir drinker.
ZEPHYR
Auckland
Warm, primarily frost-free conditions, high rainfall and clay soils boosted by volcanic, greywacke and mixed alluvial origin meant that Auckland was once the engine room of New Zealand’s entire wine industry. The Henderson, Kumeu and Huapai sub regions to the northwest of Auckland’s city centre, are home to many of the eastern European and North African aristocrats who pioneered our modern wine scene. However urban sprawl has meant Auckland’s vineyard area now only accounts for around 500 hectares just over 1.5% of the National planting. You’re more likely to find the Auckland/Northland/Waiheke Island region dominated by big, bold chardonnay, pinot gris, syrah and Bordeaux red varieties, however Pinot Noir has a small foothold in some of the more premium cooler sites. And that’s what pinot likes – which is why the variety has spread quietly inland and south towards Clevedon, Aucklands most recent premium wine district.
More famous for Buffalo farming, oyster farming and of course, sheep and cow farming; Clevedon has recently established small pockets of Pinot Noir vines in its green pastures just 30 minutes south of the city.
So what can you expect from Auckland pinot noir? Food-friendly, softly-fruited, softly-spiced expressions that are packed with personality.
Hawkes Bay
Hawke’s Bay is NZ’s oldest wine region and second largest. There are over 90 wineries and 150 grape growers within the region, which produces a huge chunk of the national vintage. Hawkes Bay is blessed with breathtakingly beautiful rivers, which for centuries have carved their way across the landscape and left in their wake the perfect mix of soils for growing grapes. Many of the regions wineries are inextricably linked to guiding forces of these rivers, from the Esk River in the north, to the trout-filled and titillating-named Tutaekuri (look it up on Google translate) and the mighty Ngaruroro which both cut through the regions central plains. Then of course there’s the stunning Tukituki river which flows from it’s upper reaches in Central Hawke’s Bay and along the base of the majestic Te Mata Peak range before meeting the ocean at Haumoana. There’s even the fast-flowing Paritua stream, which nourishes the vines along the western boundary of the Bridge Pa Triangle. Wine producers can now choose from a smorgasbord of soil types including the limestone loop of Central Hawke’s Bay to the ancient red metal soils and river terrace boulders of Maraekakaho and the sandy, free-draining loams of the coast and valleys.
Much of Hawke’s Bay’s Pinot Noir is grown for sparkling wine, but trophy winning, traditional examples have been crafted from inland cooler sites such as Crownthorpe, Matapiro, Tikokino and as far south as Porongahau. Expect soft, cherry and tea flavours, a mineral element and ultra-approachable textures.
Martinborough/Wairarapa
The Wairarapa wine region nestled in the rain shadow of the Tararua and Rimutaka ranges and its sub-regions (Martinborough, Gladstone and Masterton) are linked by the Ruamahunga River. The region’s Maori name actually means ‘glistening waters’, and from its Tararua source, this river flows southwards, attracting waters from contributory streams as it flows to Palliser Bay. In addition to sharing picturesque, rural towns like Greytown and Carterton, these sub-regions also share ancient alluvial river terraces which, when combined with scorching summers and long, dry
autumns, provide a recipe for winegrowing glory. These conditions reminded Marie Zelie, (the French wife of early settler William Beetham) of her native Burgundy, so she planted 3000 vines in the late 1880’s and produced the region’s first pinot near Masterton in 1887. Sadly prohibition put paid to the vines, however 100 years later, two soil scientists and two locals discovered the Martinborough region had almost identical terroir characteristics to Burgundy and planted vines in 1980. They became the ‘founding four’ and over the coming decade, grapes spread north to Gladstone and back into Masterton – completing a century of history.
Just a lazy hour and a half’s drive north from Wellington, the Wairarapa is home to some of the most prestigious wineries in New Zealand.
Nelson
Nelson has the highest annual sunshine hours in New Zealand, making it an absolute El Dorado when it comes to growing fruits of every description. Once upon a time it was all about orchards, but today it’s hops and grapes, art and science that has wine-tourist taste buds in a tizz. Despite being divided into two distinct sub-regions; the flat, free-draining sandy loams of the Waimea Plains and the clay loams and subsoils of the Moutere Hills, Nelson is a united front when it comes to producing some of New Zealand’s top pinot noir. The sunshine capital of the country is a relative newcomer to pinot production, but it’s already establishing an impressive pedigree, having had pinot noir in the ground since 1975 at Seifried Vineyard. Mountains keep
the area warm and protected from the predominant weather cycles to the west, south and east; and with the cooling effect of the Tasman sea – Goldilocks would love it here. It’s not too hot or too cold – in fact it’s just right.
These conditions give Nelson examples an exceptionally fine minerality; they get a really pure expression of pinot noir here, and if you’re after organic, biodynamically produced pinot – then here’s the place to get it. Unlike its neighbour Marlborough, which boasts a number of large cellar doors owned by corporate entities, all of Nelson’s wineries are family owned. While they’re mostly small, the words ‘perfectly formed’ often appear in reviews – wrap your tastebuds around a selection of their pinots and you’ll understand why.
As vine age, production and availability have increased, Nelson has begun to take its place as one of the quality Pinot Noir producing regions of the world.
Marlborough
Loads of things happened in 1973. They opened the Sydney Opera House, Princess Anne married Mark Phillips, Pink Floyd released Dark Side of the Moon and the team at Montana Wines planted pinot noir on the outskirts of Blenheim alongside some new-fangled sauvignon blanc. While it got off to a shaky start, pinot plantings here in New Zealand’s largest wine region soon ventured forth from the stony, free-draining river terraces and up into the clay-based, north facing slopes of the surrounding hills. New clonal material began soaking its way across the countryside and it didn’t take long for wine producers to be wowed by this beguiling Burgundian. But why is this part of New Zealand so conducive to churning our complex, concentrated pinot noir? Simple really. Marlborough has a more regular, extended growing season than either Martinborough or Central Otago. It boasts warm days, cool nights and it’s not battered so much by the southerly winds that can disrupt flowering for growers in Martinborough, it’s also not as susceptible to the vicious frosts which can ravage the more southerly Central Otago.
So while the world was being slapped in the face with the regions stunning sauvignon blanc, pinot noir was quietly bubbling away in the background. Producers here knew they had something special, but it took time to perfect, they kept it almost secret. But by the mid 1990’s Marlborough’s winemakers were well and truly getting their heads around its potential and the gold medals began pouring in. With plantings now spanning the Wairau, Waihopai, Omaka, Brancott and Awatere Valleys, Marlborough is home to some pinot perfectionists, making it a force to be reckoned with.
North Canterbury
Waipara
An easy 40-minute drive north of Christchurch will land you on the doorstep of one of the most exciting wine regions in NZ. Farm country and pine plantations open up just a couple of kilometres north of the town of Amberley to reveal a breathtakingly beautiful valley, carpeted on both sides of the highway with vines as far as the eye can travel. The Waipara Valley is surrounded by the ancient, mineral-rich limestone clay slopes of Mt Cass to the east and the Three Deans range to the west, and its vineyards grow with gusto under the unmistakable cloud formation known as the Nor’west Arch. When you see it, you know that Canterbury’s fierce northwesterly is blowing hot and dry –which isn’t good for ones mood, but it’s great for controlling vine vigour and creating intense, succulent pinot noir. Combine this bionic breeze with long, dry autumns means Waipara winemakers enjoy minimal disease pressure leading into vintage. Waipara’s modern wine era began with experimental plantings on a 400ha farm in the 1960’s, but it was in the mid 1980’s when pinot pioneering kicked into gear and by 2017 the region can lay claim to being home to international trophy winning examples that are winning friends and influencing people.
North Canterbury
Inland from the Waipara Valley lies the Waikari Hills, an area incorporating the Weka Pass, Pyramid Valley and Scargill Valley. Hunting for new and exciting terroirs, curious producers struck out in the late 1990’s, toward land famous for its outcrops of pure, limestone-derived rendzina soils. Soils that inject a distinctive layer of minerality that marinates through the wines of this exciting sub-region. These high-density planted vineyards are at higher elevations, 250-300m above sea level, and have soils ranging from pure chalky limestone to lime-rich derived clays and subsurface marine glauconite/greensand. The clay provides flesh and generosity to Waikari’s pinot noir, while the increased levels of this special ‘active’ limestone, imparts tension, nervosity and a lovely layer of salinity.
Central Otago/Waitaki
As the most southern wine region in the world you’d expect Central Otago to have an extreme environment, but nothing prepares you for how unforgiving the landscape actually is. From it’s origins in the goldrush, to experiments in the early 1980’s, Central Otago has, in just three short decades, transformed itself into a powerhouse of New Zealand’s pinot noir production. With it’s moonscape-like, rocky “schisty” outcrops that absorb heat from the day and radiate it at night, dry sandy soils and rugged hillsides carpeted with scrub and wild thyme, it’s home to some of the pinot-worlds most stellar sub-regions. The vineyards of Bannockburn, Bendigo, Alexandra, Gibbston, Pisa, Lowburn and Wanaka, are all pockets of pinot noir perfection, connected by the slow moving, cloudy blue waters of the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers.
In the north there’s a rising star in the Waitaki region.
