Waimate, north of the Waitaki River, may not spring to mind when you think of wine and vineyards, but Gary and Ann Dennison have been making wine from their 2.5ha Point Bush Vineyard on the Hunter Hills above the town for a couple of years.
Gary Dennison grew up in Waimate.
After a career overseas designing air traffic control systems, he returned with his English wife Ann to establish a vineyard on the north-facing, frost-free slopes and turn the grand Edwardian house, Te Kiteroa, into a lodge.
They already had forestry interests on the hill above and have planted olive trees, but have yet to produce oil.
They love the tranquillity, the native bush and the panoramic views across the plain to the Pacific Ocean.
The first vines in the 2.5ha vineyard were planted six years ago but until the vineyard came into production they sourced grapes from Waipara and Central Otago to make their Point Bush Estate Wine.
The climate is similar to that in the nearby Waitaki Valley but without the frost danger, according to Gary, who tends the vineyard and makes the wine in a small purpose-built winery.
He did his apprenticeship with Theo Coles of Crater Rim Winery in Waipara.
Because of the birds in the adjacent native bush, they have to net the grapes thoroughly to protect them from marauding waxeyes. Other birds, such as fantails, which appear on the label, and tuis are insect feeders or nectar feeders and don't damage ripe grapes.
Point Bush produces a rich, textural pinot gris, sauvignon blanc, which is a challenge to ripen in the cool, often overcast weather, and pinot noir.
The first pinot noir from their own vineyard, 2010, will be released later this year.
The Dennisons' vision is to open a winery cafe and tasting room on the vineyard.
They sell most of their wine locally through a handful of outlets including Birdlands Wine Bar in Oamaru and Vintner's Drop in Kurow, through their lodge and cellar door and by mail order.
