It's all about terroir

Ostler Vineyard

An ancient geological faulting process which occurred in the Valley created our unique vineyard site. A 38 million year old seabed was raised into a north facing limestone slope overlooking the braided Waitaki River. 

The original site of Ostler Vineyards' wines, "Ostler" in Racecourse Road was the raisin d'etre for the venture. Described by Jeff Sinnott as having "perhaps one of the most viticulturally significant soils in New Zealand", the site produces wines which elegantly express its terroir. As such they are unique - different even from those of neighbouring wine regions. A combination of the Valley's climate (see below) superimposed on the vineyard's aspect, soils and limestone substrata ensures unusual levels of complexity within the fruit flavours. 

The attention of vineyard staff to accurate viticulture provides the human element essential to achieve the balance for this process. The word fastidious comes to mind. In a climate close to the margins for winegrowing the requirement for achieving greatness is absolute attention to detail in the vineyard. No compromise.

Blue House and Lemon Springs Vineyards

In addition to our estate-grown wines, Ostler produces wines from fruit grown by selected growers both within the Waitaki Valley and without. The source of our wines is always identified on their labels as designated vineyards.

Blue House Estate, owned and hand-tended by Rob and Pam Crosbie 12 km from the Ostler site is the source of beautiful pinot gris and riesling. On alluvial gravel with a limestone influence this vineyard produces wine with subtle differences in complexity and minerality.

Lemon Springs is a new development by Paul Sinnott at Lake Waitaki, inland from Kurow. This new vineyard is being developed in 2008 to complement Ostler. As such it comprises a different more mineral soil and substrata comprised of alluvial schist gravels, as well as a somewhat warmer meso-climate. These parameters have been identified as appropriate for the production of fine riesling and other aromatic white wine grapes. Again, we seek minerality and balance in our wines from this vineyard. Lemon Springs will produce vineyard designated wines under the Ostler label utilizing the same intensive viticultural methods.

The Climate

The Waitaki Valley climate is maritime by comparison with nearby Central Otago. A temperate summer season with prolonged autumn warmth provides a longer, somewhat cooler season. Daily summer sea-breezes act as air-conditioning, limiting excessive summer heat. In spring and autumn catabatic down-valley breezes reduce frost risk.

The resultant long "hang-time" for ripening grapes creates full fruit ripeness with associated complex flavour development , but without excessively high sugars and therefore high alcohols in the wines.

This climate is not for the faint-hearted winegrower however. Full fruit ripeness and therefore harvest does not occur until the end of April or into May. Nail-biting patience is required for spectacular rewards!

The Waitaki Valley

The Waitaki -(Maori: Wai; water or tears, -taki; of Aoraki -Mount Cook) - is a central South Island valley formed by a braided river draining the eastern side of the Central South Island's main divide. This large area encompasses Mount Cook and the McKenzie Country including its lakes. The Waitaki River provides some 65% of New Zealand's hydro-electricity storage through a series of dams and canals. The river forms the old provincial boundary between North Otago and Canterbury.

Ostler's vineyards are situated in North Otago on the south side of the river.

The Waitaki holds a small population of resourceful, independent families who grow fine produce in quantity and quality out of proportion to their low numbers. More info at Waitaki Valley Vistor's Guide.