Our Story

In late 1990, a young couple left Auckland to re-settle in a rural pocket of Nelson, encouragingly named ‘Hope’.

Swapping city for country life, Andrew and Jenny took on a four- hectare property determined to create something of their own. The vineyard had been partially established in the mid-70s by a pioneer amateur winemaker.

When we arrived the established vines and simple winery provided the opportunity to take our first steps into the world of winemaking. These were exciting times, challenging, hard work and full of promise. Nelson’s small group of established winemakers welcomed and encouraged us but even with their guidance we had to make our own mistakes. Immersed in our new way of life we were rapidly acquiring knowledge and experience and planning the way forward.

After several seasons we cut our losses, culling the heavy-cropping Muller Thurgau and green-edged Cabernet Sauvignon vines. This was progress. We bought the property next door and re-committed to p...