We grow all our own fruit organically under Bio Gro Certification. Organics is a no brainer for us, both philosophically and for the health of our vineyard. Our wines have more vitality and, if they are to taste of place, or represent us as individuals, then why on earth would we want to look after our vineyards in any other fashion?

Certification is important to us as form of accountability as we all have a responsibility to look after our place on this planet.

We produce good wines because we have our own vineyards, we grow our own fruit, all organic and across the best sub regions in Central Otago.

 

THE GIBBSTON SUB REGION

This region is a special place, the start of our wines and from which a lovely tension and refreshing acidity in our wines stems.

Gibbston

Gibbston is a north facing valley slope and the coolest and highest of the sub regions. Twenty minutes drive from Queenstown, Gibbston is 5km long by 2km wide, 350m above sea level and receiving 600mm average annual rainfall. We usually harvest here at the end of April.

Soil: Heavy loess deposits over schist rock and river gravels.

Wine Typicity: dried herb aromatics with backbones of acidity

The Drumlin

Our oldest vineyard, and its name is Celtic for “small rounded hill of glacial origin.” Drumlin was planted in 1995 with a mixture of old Riesling clones on the small, steep, north facing 25 degree slope next to the winery.

Soils: Thin layer of loess over deep schist-based glacial gravels

Wine Typicity: mineral pithy notes, off dry with refreshing acidity

 

THE BANNOCKBURN SUB REGION

The oldest planted areas in Cromwell, Bannockburn is a north facing crescent at the most western end of the Cromwell valley. A very warm and dry area, it has two distinct areas within it, Cairnmuir Rd and Felton Rd. We love the breadth and depth that Bannockburn wines bring, which is why we have two vineyards in this area.

Muirkirk on Felton Road

We have 6 ha planted with 6, 10/5, Abel and Pommard the predominant Pinot Noir clones plus .5 ha of Gamay, Entav clone. Elevation is around 230m, GDD average 1150 and rainfall on average 400mm per annum.

Soils: More fertile layers of loess in varying deeps, fans of clay and silt, some calcareous deposits; all over heavier silt layers towards the western ends. Schist rock and gravels towards the banks of the banks of the Kawarau at its eastern end.

Wine Typicity: Spice, darker fruits and complexity, with well defined  fine tannin structure.

Susan’s on Cairnmuir Road

We have 4.1 ha planted, 3 ha in Pinot Noir in a mixture of 667, Abel, 115 and 10/5 with a further 1.1 ha planted in Pinot Gris. Elevation is around 220, GDD average 1100 and rainfall on average 375mm per annum

Soils: Less fertile lighter soils, sand and gravels with very little loess.

Wine Typicity: Spice, darker fruits and complexity, with well defined  fine tannin structure.

 

THE PISA SUB REGION

One of the largest areas within Central Otago, Pisa stretches from Lowburn Valley, north of the Cromwell township, along the northern banks of Lake Dunstan for around 15 kms towards Wanaka. Pisa is where the aromatics and delicacy in our wines come from.

Morrison Vineyard

A 7.5 hectare vineyard situated at the foothills of the Lowburn valley terraces, this is our oldest Pinot Noir vineyard, first planted in 1997. Elevation is 220m, annual rainfall around 375mm, GDD 1250 (2007 average).

 

The vineyard has 5 ha of Pinot Noir planted with a mix of Pinot clones, primarily Pommard and Abel, plus a selection of Dijon clones (777, 667 and 115).

We have 1 ha of Riesling planted (clones 239 and 110), around 0.5 ha in Gruner Veltliner and a further 1 ha of Albarino, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Chenin were planted in 2012-2014.

Soils: Generally silt/clay or fine loam over alluvial gravels with the odd schist fan.

Wine Typicity: Upfront aromatics, high tones with red to darker fruits and ripe fruit tannins. However these are delicate rather than structural wines with acidity as their backbone.

Pisa Terrace Vineyard

A 7 ha vineyard situated on the terraces of Mount Pisa Station, above the foothills of Wanaka Road. It is a beautiful and elevated site, some 55m higher than Morrison. Elevation 275m, annual rainfall around 350mm, and GDD 1225 average. The vineyard is planted in a mixture of the Dijon clones (777, 667 and 115), Abel plus some Pommard, all on rootstock.

Wine Typicity: Upfront aromatics, high tones with red to darker fruits and ripe fruit tannins. However these are delicate rather than structural wines with acidity as their backbone.

Soils: Generally silt/clay or fine loam over alluvial gravels with the odd schist fan.