Our Land & Vines

The vineyard is set in a park like environment on the North West face of the Waipara Valley’s eastern hills below the Teviotdale range.  Dubbed the golden mile, as the aspect gains high amounts of light and heat.  The soils, which are marl (active limestone), add a fine minerality t0 the finished wines.

Initially planted in 1991, and added to in 2000, 2008 and 2013, the total plantings now sit at 9.3 hectares of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. 

Our vineyards are planted from spacious 2.7m x 1.2m through to high density 1.8m x 1m rows.  Since the first plantings New Zealand viticulture equipment has adapted to enable higher density planting particularly beneficial to pinot noir and chardonnay.

The property sits at Latitude 43 with an Elevation 93m / 305ft above sea level (midpoint of the property).  While high up on the limestone slopes with a stunning out look across the Waipara Valley we do not escape frosts.  Each spring we take on Jack Frost and protect our vines.  We find blowing warm air from an LPG burner (Lazo) behind the tractor does the job.  We gain great satisfaction from the vines growing on through the season to produce beautiful fruit after the vigils held throughout Spring.  

The low impact high attention to detail means that our spray regime is based on building the health of the vines with fermented fish fertilizers, and organic inputs. Our canopy management is vigorous with the aim of keeping the constant spring and summer growth open and light – letting the nor-westers and North Canterbury sun keep the vines disease free.