Northburn Vineyard

The Northburn Station Vineyard is situated only a few hundred metres from 45º00'00" South at an elevation of about 200m above sea level. Northwesterly facing for the warm sun, the vineyard gently slopes upwards from Lake Dunstan. Sheltered from the east and the south by the Dunstan mountain range it has its own special climate in which to thrive. The site is very hot and dry during the grape growing season and, with a large diurnal temperature change during the cooler nights, it is ideally suited to the production of high quality Pinot Noir.

About 120 years ago the land was covered in miners seeking their fortune in the gold bearing veins that still run beneath the vines. These mining washings and glacial fans dot throughout the property giving a mixture of sandy stony loam top soil and subsoils varying between deep loose gravels and clay loams. This is ideal for the production of finely textured wines. The winemakers are thus given the opportunity to use their skill and understanding to combine the expressions of the various sites within the vineyard. The resulting wines are a true expression of the terrior of the vineyard.

The Vineyard was first planted in 1999 and the first wine was produced in 2001. Even at this early stage the fruit showed an intensity and definition that has continued to develop with later vintages. Of the 23ha the Vineyard covers – 75% is Pinot Noir (clones 10/5, 5, 6, 113, 114, 115, 667 & 777); 15% is Riesling (Gm 198); 5% Pinot Gris (Barrie); and 5% Sauvignon Blanc – all on their own roots. In 2009 a small amount of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc was planted on grafted rootstock.

The Vineyard is currently an accredited SWNZ (Sustainable Wine Growing New Zealand) Vineyard. With a move to Organic certification in the pipe-line, the vineyard is managed under an organic biodynamic regime. We are firm believers in soil health giving healthy vines. With the use of vineyard made compost and biodynamic preparations we are able to work the soil to achieve elegant structured wines.

Throughout the growing season the vineyard is meticulously managed and nurtured by hand from winter pruning through to harvest. Cropping levels are balanced to achieve optimum ripeness and high quality fruit for the winery.

Together with Shane Livingstone (Northburn Vineyard manager), Northburn Vineyard also employs a tractor driver and machinery operator, Ken Feehly who previously worked locally in orcharding. The rest of our diligent vineyard staff are Cromwell locals – Bill, Ewan, Ken, Deb, & Colin who are supposed to be in "semi-retirement" but spend most of their time on the vineyard. Additional support is provided by an influx of friends and gypsies through the peak times.

Northburn Vineyard weather station.