Nestled on the shores of Lake Dunstan in the Pisa region of Central Otago, this stunning and rugged location is home to the L'Attitude Vineyard: the source from which Nevis Bluff wines are created. A philosophy to select only premium grapes ensures that Nevis Bluff consistently produce Pinot Noir with rich aromatics, concentrated complexity, understated elegance and finesse. Since 1998, Nevis Bluff has earned a reputation as Pinot specialists with a dedication to excellence. . It is this passion combined with their unique terroir and natural winemaking approach that produces their premium wines.

Our grapes for our single vineyard wines are sourced from the LAttitude Vineyard, situated in the Pisa sub region of the Cromwell basin. This top quality vineyard is planted in Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, and is certified sustainable through the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) programme. Nevis Bluff has a key role in the Central Otago wine industry and is aptly named the Pinot Specialist - reflecting the vineyards ambition to produce distinctive Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir wines.

The Winemaker

Our wines are created by Dean Shaw of The Central Otago Wine Company (COWCo) in Cromwell. Dean is an extremely talented character with a somewhat droll sense of humour and an absolute passion for Pinot Noir.

With a post graduate degree in Viticulture and Wine Science from Lincoln University in Canterbury, Dean first came to Central Otago to work at Rippon Vineyard with Clotilde Chauvet in 1994 and 1995. He then spent two years at Giesen Wine Estate (Canterbury, NZ) working for Rudi Bauer. He also worked at Blackridge Estate in Alexandra before settling in Cromwell as a partner in COWCo, which provides contract winemaking facilities for local producers.

Dean’s approach as winemaker is a natural one. He prefers to intervene with the wine as little as possible, using wild yeasts and serenading the wine with a stereo system of which most nightclubs would be envious. This approach enables the wine to reflect the character of the vineyard it comes from as faithfully as possible, and ensures individuality and excellence, as well as a good sense of rhythm.

The Region

The world’s southernmost wine region is found in Central Otago, New Zealand, in the same 45 degree latitude as top winegrowing regions in France. Although many of the vineyards are covered in snow in the winter, the long hot summers are balanced with cool night-time temperatures encouraging a slow ripening, perfect for developing intense fruit flavours, characteristic of the area.

Central Otago has a long and romantic viticulture tradition. During the 1860’s goldrush the first wine was bottled from a vineyard near Clyde spearheaded by French immigrant Jean Desire Feraud. His foresight led to today’s widespread planting of wines in Central Otago.

Terroir

Our soils are mainly free draining loess, schist and uncemented gravels. Annual rainfall is approximately 590mm and we are about 350 metres above sea level at 45 degrees South latitude.

Central Otago is fortunate enough to have sunshine hours averaging 1,921 to 2,250 hours per annum, which ensure ripeness and good acid structure for the resulting grapes. All grapes are hand harvested and low cropped, to ensure quality.