ABOUT US

We are a small “Mum and Dad” business dedicated to producing the finest Pinot noir wine possible from the terroir of Central Otago.  Catherine Brown is the better looking half of the partnership, while Crawford Brown brings a lifetime of experience in beverages to the business.  In his previous life, he was Master Brewer (NZ) for Lion Nathan, and prior to that, Speight’s Brewery manager for a number of years.

The vineyard has an area of 8.5 Ha in total, with a nominal annual production of 3000 cases (36,000 bottles).  97% of the vineyard is planted in Pinot noir vines, while the other 3% is Riesling.  Crawford calls them his “play grapes”. 

Right from the beginning, when the bare land was bought in 1997, the partnership has maintained a philosophy of putting quality first, regardless of the cost, and regardless of how much that hurts!  Although tough at times, the rewards of producing stunning wine overcomes the hardships and makes it all worth while! 

A two tier branding philosophy operates, with Bannock Brae Estate (copper coloured logo) denoting the top tier wines, while “Goldfields” (smoky blue logo) denotes the second tier wines.  Second tier maybe, but often gold medal winning wines also!

We operate a Cellar Door for tastings and sales at our home on the vineyard in Cairnmuir Road, Bannockburn.
The indicative hours (assuming we are on site) are:
November 1 to December 24: Wednesday to Sunday, 1pm to 5pm
December 26 to January 31: Daily, 11am to 5pm
February 1 to Easter: Wednesday to Sunday, 1pm to 5pm
After Easter to October 31: Closed for tastings, wine available for sale 1pm to 5pm
Other times by appointment

Wines are distributed and marketed throughout New Zealand by Vintage Wines Ltd, 44 Northcote Road, Takapuna, Auckland, Ph (+64 9) 480 0789, email: info@vintagewines.co.nz

Wine is also exported to Denmark, USA, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Denmark: Sigurd Mueller Vinhandel A/S
Web: www.smv.dk

USA: L & R Imports LLC
Denver, CO
Web: www.newzealandfoodwines.com

Singapore: Ponti Wine Cellars, Centrepoint, Orchard Road
Web: www.pontiwinecellars.com.sg

Hong Kong: The Cellar Door
24/F, 1 Rumsey Street, HK
Ph  +852 9107 4904
Web: www.efw.com.hk