The Brennan Vineyards are situated in the dramatic Gibbston sub-region of Central Otago, New Zealand. Sean Brennan launched the Brennan label with the intention of producing limited quantities of iconic wines that truly represent the potential of this exceptional wine region.
Located just 20 minutes from Queenstown. Home to New Zealand's largest wine cave, we offer various wine and tasting tours where you can learn about how we handcraft our premium wines and tour the region's oldest vineyards. Our winery restaurant offers a gourmet menu of wine-friendly foods prepared with a Mediterranean flair. Using carefully-selected ingredients, our culinary team creates a harmonious blend of wine, food and place. If it's wine tasting you're after, you can sample a range of our award-winning wines at our Cellar Door.
Denis has a lifelong love of the land. He grew up in the Rangitikei where he farmed for many years before entering Parliament in 1984. He represented Rangitikei for 15 years and during his time in the National Government he was for 6 years as an Associate Minister of Agriculture with responsibility for horticulture, 5 years Minister of Conservation and for 3 years Minister of Lands. These responsibilities enabled him to gain a real insight into and understanding of the often sensitive issues of conservation and land use. In 2000 he was the Founding Chairman of the NZ National Parks & Conservation Foundation, a charitable organisation dedicated to raising funds from individuals, businesses, and the community to support conservation projects throughout New Zealand. Over $2m has been donated to a wide range of projects since the Foundation was established.
Denis loves the wide-open spaces, the lakes, mountains and bush of the South Island, and in 1995 he purchased the land in the Gibbston Valley, which was to become the Hawkshead Vineyard. The first Pinot Noir vines were planted in 2001, and a second block was planted in 2003. In 2005 he and his partner Ulrike Kurenbach established the Hawkshead Vineyard Partnership. The focus is on careful land use and soil management, with minimum interference with nature.
Ulrike appreciated wine from an early age. She grew up in the Rhineland, one of Germany's wine regions. Ulrike studied Food Technology and has worked in the hospitality industry. She has also studied Art and Design. Ulrike firmly believes food, wine and art complement each other. They all require creativity to flourish. On her arrival in New Zealand Ulrike became actively involved in promoting New Zealand food and wine at culinary fairs in Europe. During that time she also appreciated being in the judging panel of the Taste New Zealand Awards.
Denis and Ulrike are fully immersed in all aspects of the vineyard and oversee the viticultural operations.
Mt Rosa was the original ram paddock for the 80,000 hectare Kawarau Station. In 1999 wool prices were declining, sheep breeding and fattening got tough, so a call was made to get rid of the sheep and plant the first vines. Turns out that was a good decision as the stony, schist soils are great for growing grapes. Mt Rosa is now a well-established single-estate vineyard, producing award winning wines.
Our Winemaker, Dean Shaw from Central Otago Wine Company has been with us from our very first vintage in 2002. Like most young winemakers, Dean travelled overseas during our winters to make wine in Champagne, Burgundy, Alsace, Austria, Italy and South Africa. Dean is passionate about wine and at every stop he is focused on learning more to be able to apply it to the varieties of Central Otago.
Dean has been with us every step of the way and understands the best process for our quality fruit, turning it into excellent wine.
The Varietals; We planted our first grapes in 2000 which we harvested in 2002. These were established Sauvignon Blanc vines from Felton Road. After that came Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris of which the first vintage was 2003 and to try something different, we planted Pinot Blanc and Gamay Noir.
Peregrine is a family owned Central Otago winery, dedicated to the production of premium Pinot Noir, and an outstanding range of aromatic white wines. It is located in the southernmost grape growing region in the world at latitude 45° South, in Gibbston in Central Otago, with vineyards nestled in breathtaking river valleys, clinging to snow capped mountainsides or perched gently on the shores of crystal clear lakes. Organic farming is fundamental to every level of viticulture, with a holistic approach that integrates crop and livestock farming. Peregrine Wines is named in honour of New Zealand’s endemic falcon, a bird without rival or fear. It is a brand that has, since its first vintage in 1998, gained a reputation both domestically and internationally as one of New Zealand’s iconic wine brands.
