We also grow grapes on the stony alluvial area between the Waimea and Wai-iti rivers at Brightwater,
on the Waimea plains south of Nelson. Brightwater is the birthplace of Ernest Rutherford – New Zealand’s famous atom splitter. And the vineyard where we grow our grapes is called Lord Rutherford, owned by a group of enthusiastic wine lovers. We do all the viticulture and harvest the grapes. Soils here are very free draining and require irrigation to support grapevines through the dry summer months. Fruit from here exhibits strong varietal character while retaining the mineral fruit acid base. Varieties that particularly suit these conditions are the aromatics – Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Gris.
