Land & Farming
Land, Biodynamics & Organics
We farm these small properties organically and biodynamically and find that when working in harmony with our natural world we have healthier vines and lives. We wish to nurture and regenerate the existing life in the soils, plants and wildlife at each farm to build healthy soil, healthy vines and quality fruit.
Each vineyard is certified organic with BioGo and Demeter. Organics means we avoid using systemic chemical sprays on our land.
We also use regenerative and biodynamic practices, encouraging diversity of plants in our vineyards, planting cover crops carefully whilst being mindful of too much cultivation and compaction of our soils. We make and apply compost and preps and enjoy having our cows and neighbours’ sheep in the vineyards to naturally graze the weeds and grasses and encourage diversity of species at each site.
In the long run, encouraging this natural harmony creates better quality wine and allows for the land to provide for generations after us.
We have practiced biodynamics at all three vineyards since we first started farming the Home vineyard in 2007 and were certified with Demeter in 2022. Rooted in Rudolf Steiner teachings, biodynamics teaches us to see each of our three sites in a holistic way. The practices promote the health and natural balance of the soils and ecosystems and enhance the link between plant growth and the rhythms of the cosmos. All elements that make up our vineyards are considered, especially how they interact and make one healthy, vital whole. The vines, fields, forest, animals, plants, soils, compost, people and the spirit of the place are all equally important. Our hope is for our vineyards to build and sustain their own natural rhythms. Biodynamics is energising and a lot of fun for all of our team.
When it comes to winemaking, we want to make true and uncluttered wines that express the character of each farm. You can read about our winemaking here.
Certified with Demeter and Biogro 5202.
Home
Bottom Block
The vineyard was planted by the late Russell and Kimiko Black. The Pinot Noir was planted in a 3.8 ha block. Un-grafted predominantly 10-5 clone and were planted in 1994 at a vine density of 1841 vines per hectare. The vineyard was irrigated once in 1998.
The Chardonnay grows in the adjacent 3.8ha block. Un-grafted Mendoza Chardonnay vines were planted in 1994 at a vine density of 1841 vines per hectare.
Organic and Biodynamic practices have been used since 2010. Certified with BioGro.
Top Block
A 4ha block sits above the original Black Estate block . The soils are mainly Awapuni clay with calcium carbonate deposits. This new planting completed in 2011 is at 6177 vine/ha and all vines are on rootstock. One hectare is planted with Chardonnay – Mendoza, B95, ENTAV-INRA®548, and ENTAV-INRA®1066 clones. Pinot Noir planted over 2 hectares with 115, 667, 828, 943, Abel, and UCD5 clones. Chenin Blanc is 0.5 hectares (clones 880 and 220). The Cabernet Franc vineyard is 0.3 hectares (clones 214, 327, and 678).
Damsteep
Pinot Noir is grown on a 5 hectare north east facing slope, with an altitude between 140 to 180 meters above sea level. The vines here were planted in 1999 and grow on clay overlying fractured limestone and sandstone soils.
The Riesling vineyard is 2.2 ha and lies on a north facing slope below the pinot noir. The soil is in very dense brown/ orange clay and inter bedded with sandstones and subordinate limestone horizons.
Organic and Biodynamic practices have been used since 2010. Certified with BioGro.
Netherwood
Pinot Noir cuttings were planted here on their own roots and established and farmed without irrigation. The Chardonnay block is 0.8 hectares and was planted in 1986 on a south facing hillside. The vines are mass selection and thought to be cuttings of Mendoza Chardonnay. The vine density should be 5000 vines per hectare but half of them are Pinot Noir so it is hard to tell.
Organic and Biodynamic practices have been used since 2012. Certified with BioGro.
People
The family.
Nicholas Brown and Pen Naish with Pen’s family own our three vineyards. Pen and Nicholas and their two children Sylvia and Arthur live at Netherwood and manage the business. Nicholas looks after the vineyards and wines with his team and Pen manages the sales & marketing and the restaurant & cellar door with another great team.
Since 2007, when the we first purchased the Home vineyard from it’s founder Russell Black, Pen’s parents and siblings supported us with investing in the land here. Pen’s father Rod is a 5th generation horticulturalist from North Otago. Pen’s mum Stacey provides much family support.
Russell and Kumiko Black planted the original eight hectares of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines in 1993 at Black Estate, now called the Home Vineyard. In spring 2007 we purchased that property and kept the name. After buying Riesling and Pinot Noir fruit from the Hull family’s Damsteep Vineyard and Netherwood Vineyard (5-10km up the road), we purchased those two sites in 2012 and 2015 respectively. (Netherwood was originally established by Danny Schuster and Russell Black in 1986).
We converted all three vineyards to organic and biodynamic farming and are certified with BioGro. No.5202 and Demeter.
It’s a privilege to farm these three sites. We’re working with the land and looking to encourage natural balance and life at each site to share an original, quality expression of each place in the glass.
This dream is only possible with our team. We are very grateful for the friendships and knowledge that grow here.
Vineyard Team –
Lucy and Dujon our vineyard managers, Nao and Yélèn who help in the vineyard and winery, Nicholas.
The Cellar Door & Restaurant
Kitchen – Olly, Hayden, Rosie and Kaitlin.
Front of the house – Pen, India, Clio, Abbie, Theo, Sylvia.
Administration, orders & accounts Queen – Di Mawson!
Christchurch sales – Juliet Mannering
Join our newsletter to hear news from us, life on the vineyards, the wines and the restaurant.
