Organic Wine Journal » New Zealand

The Millton Vineyards

Adam Morganstern — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:23:43 +0000

In 1983 James and Annie Millton established their 20 hectare wine domaine on the banks of the Te Arai River near Manutuke where the early settlers first planted grapevines in 1871. This region is situated on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand in the winegrowing appellation of Gisborne. The white wine vineyards are planted with chardonnay, chenin blanc and viognier. The red wine vineyards are planted with merlot, malbec and pinot noir.Since the beginning, all wines have been produced from Biodynamically Grown Grapes and bottled on the property, making this company still the only complete biodynamic wine domaine in New Zealand.Our country, the land and its people are still very young, practicing agriculture for only 200 years. Our soils are young, fresh and fertile and, while still in their juvenile state, we see quite clearly the biodynamic activities offering a vitality and balance to the plants and resulting wines.The Millton Vineyards have been grandstanded into being New Zealand’s leading organic winegrower while this estate’s preference is for quality and sensitive wine production centred on traditional techniques. There are presently only seven certified organic wine producers in this country with Millton being the only grower with their own cellars and maturation facilities.

Kawarau Estate

Adam Morganstern — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:15:19 +0000

Established in 1992, our name is taken from the Kawarau river whose waters flow through Central Otago’s foremost grape-growing micro-climates – the Gibbston Valley, Bannockburn and the Cromwell & Alexandra Basins. Bursting with tales of gold-miners, some identities of which are depicted on our labels – the name is synonymous with Central Otago’s past and present. From the name’s Maori origins to its association with gold mining and, latterly, bungy jumping and Peter Jackson’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ – Kawarau is Central Otago.We are certain too, that through our determination to produce the finest wines, the name Kawarau will continue to be a symbol of the very best that Central Otago has to offer!Whilst mooted as an excellent viticultural prospect as early as the 1860s, the local wine industry was still being pioneered when we established Kawarau Estate. In fact, we were the pioneers of the Cromwell Basin, being the first vineyard to plant on the Wanaka road. In addition to which, and still to this day, we are the only certified organic vineyard in Central Otago and can similarly be counted as one of the pioneers of organic grape growing in New Zealand.Bio-Gro certified since 1996, by blending local knowledge with innovative viticultural and environmental practices, we are creating exceptional award winning wines in an environment that is being cared for with future generations in mind.We believe that organics gives the vines the best platform to express the terroir. A great wine is all about the expression of a vineyard’s unique location, climate and soils. By growing organically, without the interference of pesticides and herbicides, we can deliver this expression in an unadulterated form.Similarly, organic winemaking is strictly regulated such that our wines have lower sulphur residues than non-organic wines and other residues are basically non-existent. As a result the flavours are truly complex and a natural reflection of the terroir.

Seresin Estate

Adam Morganstern — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:14:12 +0000

The sentinel stone at the entrance to Seresin Estate in Marlborough signals the path to both our winery and our philosophy. The stone bears a subtle handprint, a symbol of the individual and of creative endeavour; it represents our philosophy to blend tradition with technology, to work with natural elements and elicit a true Marlborough character in our wines and our extra virgin olive oils. Organically grown, hand-tended, some fermented with wild yeasts, the grapes from our estate are raised on a cornerstone of working in harmony with nature. Thus we seek to elicit complex flavours and palate texture in both our wines and our extra virgin olive oil. Seresin Estate, founded in 1992 on the Wairau River terraces in Marlborough, gives us natural advantages, basking in the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand and sheltered between the sweep of parallel mountain ranges. The two terraces provide distinct meso-climates and soil types: on the lower terrace, silty loam over free-draining river gravels lends elegance to our white wines, while Pinot Noir thrives on the upper level tongue of clay.

Sunset Valley Vineyard

Adam Morganstern — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:13:45 +0000

From the beginning the property was managed organically in accordance with Bio-Gro New Zealand organic production standards. This created some major hurdles, starting with weed and grass control, later disease and pest management became key issues. The learning curve has remained steep and each year brings slightly different challenges. We now have considerable confidence in the organic management systems we have developed.Establishment of the vineyard began with the purchase of 25 hectares of bare rolling pasture, in the dry hill country near Upper Moutere, Nelson, in 1993. The site was chosen for its suitability for an organic vineyard. The area has long dry summers and cold frosty winters. We have also planted several hectares of mixed amenity and timber trees with a particular focus on native trees. We have propagated thousands of native plants which are planted in a riparian strip along a small watercourse, which bisects the property, and around the winery and sales area.