It seems like just yesterday that the vineyard was covered in lush green vines as far as the eye could see. Now, it lies dormant in the middle of New Zealand's winter. We have however begun one of the most arduous, careful and resultantly most expensive activities that takes place in the vineyard each year. It lays the groundwork for the next vintage's success ... and that activity is pruning! 

The 2017 harvest wrapped up at the end of April, and now we mostly wait and see what this year’s vintage expresses. We asked Ben Weaver, our Assistant Winemaker, to comment on each varietal. 

Today Garrick, our Vineyard Manager, reported: "As we are finishing the last of our pruning some of our early varieties are getting ready to swing into action!" And so it begins, another fabulous vintage! 

(Tony Brown; in light blue shirt cradling a bottle of Mt. Beautiful Pinot Noir)