In addition to our own Estate wines, a premium Sauvignon blanc is made each year in a joint venture with Marchese L. Antinori of Tuscany.THE VINEYARDSOmihi Hills Vineyard in Waipara was developed in limestone rich soils on north facing slopes, best suited to the Pinot noir grape. The hand pruned and harvested 6 ha vineyard is closely planted in small vines, grown without irrigation and utilising integrated farming practices.The 12 ha Petrie Estate Vineyard is planted to Chardonnay and Pinot noir grapes on well drained soils in a distinctively cool climate, combining cool nights and warm nor'west days to produce fine quality fruit.THE WINEMAKERDanny Schuster trained in Europe as a winemaker/viticulturist and has 30 years of international winemaking experience. He has worked in many of the world's fine winemaking regions including Burgundy and Bordeaux in France, the Yarra Valley in Australia, Stellenbosch in South Africa, the Napa Valley in California and Tuscany in Italy.His pioneering work with Canterbury Pinot noir resulted in the first gold medal for this variety in New Zealand.
