Small artisan winery in the Nelson region

Hi guys!

My names Pete and I’m a winemaker originally from the Nelson region and it’s been my dream to return home and set up a small size artisan winery to champion the potential of the Nelson regions grapes.

A bit about me:

I’m a qualified Geologist who got interested in wine from extensive travels over the years.

In 2016 I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Wine Science at the Uni of Auckland based on Waiheke island living and learning on a working vineyard.

Since then I’ve travelled learning the craft of winemaking first with a harvest in Nelson, then the Northern Rhone in France followed by Chile and this year I will return to France to go to Beaujolais and straight after to Germany’s Mosel Valley. I’m also very connected to the outdoor aspect and have worked year round in the vineyards in New Zealand.

My dream now is at the end of this year to return home and start small scale production of my own wines. I want these wines to be sourced only from single organic vineyards and they’ll be 100% handmade, unmanipulated and as NATURAL as I can make them preferably without any additions.... perhaps a small amount of sulphur dioxide at bottling if needed! I will be learning methods on how to do this in Beaujolais and the Mosel Valley this year...we don’t push the boundaries in this field in New Zealand and rather than being different I just want to champion in the most transparent and honest way the amazing potential of the Nelson region’s soil and climate through delicious wine.

Favourite varieties which I believe I can make shine in the Nelson region are:

Pinot Noir of course :)

Syrah

Chardonnay

Riesling

My style of wine is freshness and elegance over power, oak and extraction. I want to make wines that are a true and honest reflection of their site and vintage and I want them to be delicious and interesting! And they’ll surely pair beautifully with fresh local Nelson cuisine!

This will be a project where I will be open, transparent and working with and in the eye of the public. If you are helping financially then I definitely want you guys involved. This includes during the fun part...harvest! I am also very open to suggestions!

Hope to talk to you all very soon. Thank you so much for getting behind this.

Best regards,

Pete