A decade ago Tony and his daughter Kate stumbled upon an abandoned vineyard at the foothills of Mount Brown, in the western side of the Waipara Valley. The stony ground with waist high weeds presented an irresistible challenge. The small, sheltered site has since proved perfectly suited to Pinot Noir, producing award-winning wines after only three vintages.
After that the hunt was on to find an equally good site for our whites which we did in 2006. The flat, stony Limeloader block was planted with mostly Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, along with Riesling and Tempranillo.
The grapes for Mt Beautiful wines are grown on our own vineyard and crafted by renowned winemaker Alastair Maling.
They express individual character and complexity, as well as refinement and quality. These are wines with panache that encapsulate the diversity and balanced harmony of our Mt Beautiful vineyard itself.
The six founders have been friends for almost 20 years, spending that time winemaking, marketing, vine tending, making money, food and designing.
The combination is a pretty tasty recipe, especially when you grow on some of the most exciting Pinot Noir & Riesling sites in New Zealand. Together we are the perfect fit, or the tongue in the groove.
Our home base is The Food Farm, a permaculture property in the heart of the Waipara Valley, North Canterbury. It’s farmed using organic and biodynamic principles.
Many years of friendship and a love of wine & food brings us all together, and just like the ingredients in a good meal, we each contribute something important to the table.
