Marking site's century, 30 years' wine

Rippon Vineyard commercial manager Pete Eastwood (left) and winemaker Nick Mills sample the 2012...
Rippon Vineyard commercial manager Pete Eastwood (left) and winemaker Nick Mills sample the 2012 vintage of Rippon pinot noir, which will be released this weekend. Photo by Lucy Ibbotson.
The culmination of 30 years of winemaking and 100 years on the land will be celebrated in Wanaka this weekend with the release of Rippon Vineyard's 2012 pinot noir.

The vineyard sits on part of the Wanaka Station land bought in May 1912 by Dunedin businessman Sir Percy Sargood, the great-grandfather of Rippon's current generation of winemakers.

The centenary of Sir Percy's purchase was marked by the community two years ago, and it is the grapes harvested that year which will be toasted - and tasted - this weekend.

Winemaker Nick Mills said the centennial event had enabled all Sir Percy's descendants to celebrate their ownership of the land, which includes the Blennerhassett family's neighbouring Barn Pinch Farm property.

''But we weren't able to celebrate from the Rippon perspective because the wines were yet to be released.''

The new pinot noir was also symbolic of Rippon's 30 years in the winemaking business - another milestone reached in 2012.

''It's everything that's come from the last 100 or 30 years and all of the work we're doing has come into this year,'' Mr Mills said.

''Central Otago had an absolutely amazing year in 2012 and for us, because we hold our wines back for a year in bottle before we release them, we're always a year behind ... so it's awesome to be able to bring it out now when it's right."

On Sunday, the Rippon team, family members, long-term customers and wine commentators will take part in a vertical tasting of every vintage of pinot noir Rippon has made since 1989, the year of the first commercial release.

The tasting will be followed by a private vineyard walk and barrel tasting and a sold-out party that evening at the Rippon Hall.

On Monday, from noon until 5pm, the Wanaka community is invited to bring their own picnics and join in the Rippon celebrations as part of the Labour Weekend Wanakafest programme.

lucy.ibbotson@odt.co.nz

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement