25-Jul-2017
For over three decades, James and Annie Millton have inspired winegrowers in New Zealand and beyond for their innovative and environmental approaches to growing wine, and making it their lives. Growing grapes in the Gisborne region has the benefits of warmer growing conditions, but also the consistent threats of weather deterioration at the all-important autumn period of harvest. However, persistence and thoughtful planning at Millton have minimised much of the risk. The incorporation of organic and biodynamic regimes from the beginning has contributed significantly to the successful winegrowing. The Millton Vineyard gained BioGro organic certification in 1989, the first in New Zealand to do so, and gained Demeter Biodynamic certification in 2009, the first winegrower in the Southern Hemisphere thus certified.
Nowadays, Millton Vineyards is regarded as the premier winegrower in Gisborne, arguably making the best range of wines in the district from its 30 ha of estate vines. The pinnacle of the Millton Vineyards bottlings is the ‘Clos de Ste Anne; wines from special hillside plantings. But the wines from the ‘Te Arai’ and ‘Opou’ vineyards in Manutuke, and ‘Riverpoint’ vineyard in the Matawhero district are also outstanding performers. Here, I review the 2016 ‘Te Arai’ Chenin Blanc, 2015 ‘Opou’ Riesling, and 2015 ‘Riverpoint Viognier and Gewurztraminer. www.millton.co.nz
