Pinot Noir
A natural ferment - it's the yeast we can do
The winemaking process starts in the middle of the vineyard at Greystone Wines in the Waipara Valley. Juicy pinot noir grapes are poured into a large vessel among the vines and exposed to wild yeasts… Audio
The roots go deep at Wānaka vineyard
Each vine has an individual voice at Rippon according to winemaker and viticulturalist Nick Mills. Established by his parents Rolfe and Lois, the vineyard's now in the hands of the next generation who… Audio
Winegrowers unearth a sense of place at Waikari vineyard
Transforming an old limestone quarry into a vineyard has been a labour of love for Marcel Giesen and Sherwyn Veldhuizen. Their viticultural journey at the site near Waikairi in North Canterbury began… Audio
View from the Vines - Cheers!
It's been two years since Country Life started following Te Hera vineyard's John Douglas through a vintage. 2020 turned out to be an interesting one, with harvest occurring during the pandemic… Audio
Alan Brady on Neil Diamond's Cracklin' Rosie
Fifty years ago, Neil Diamond's 'Cracklin' Rosie' was on top of the NZ music charts. 'Crackling Rose' was an inexpensive sparkling wine. The founding father of Central Otago wine, Alan Brady remembers… Audio
Profits from wine label go to good cause
As well as growing organic grapes for his boutique Terrace Edge brand, Waipara Valley viticulturist Pete Chapman has another wine label on the go and all the profits from it go to an organisation that… Audio
Wine with a Finnish finish....
The fact there are no vineyards in Finland means Finnish wine-maker Outi Jacovirta has to travel to ply her trade. Outi's been making wine in New Zealand on and off for 16 years. Audio
Rick Stein: 'I keep asking to do a New Zealand food series'
Rick Stein has been visiting these shores since the 1960s, when he celebrated his 21st by eating crayfish in Kaikoura, and he's still pleading with his TV bosses to do a New Zealand food series. Audio
A View from the Vines: John Douglas vs Jack Frost
Last year, John Douglas lost 70 percent of his vineyard to frost. This season he's out in the nerve-jangling wee hours frost-fighting and watching the temperature drop. Audio
French wine makers raise a glass to Central Otago
Central Otago winemakers have been celebrating the ten year anniversary of the Central Otago Burgundy Exchange in one of pinot noir's spiritual homes. Lynn Freeman talks to Nick Mills who is one of… Audio
World's leading wine critic talks Pinot with John Campbell
Jancis Robinson, who's been called the most respected wine critic and journalist in the world, and happens to advise Queen Elizabeth on her wine cellar, is in New Zealand for The Pinot Noir event. Video, Audio
Swirl, sniff and spit: pinot noir lovers hit town
Hundreds of wine growers, buyers, and aficionados from around the world have descended on Wellington for a three-day celebration of New Zealand pinot noir.
Wine aficianados descend on Wellington for pinot noir event
Hundreds of wine growers, buyers and aficianados from around the world have descended on Wellington for a three-day celebration of New Zealand pinot noir Audio
A symphony of Central Otago flavours
Winemaker Rudi Bauer's mission is to make wines that capture the essence of Central Otago. In 1996 he established the Quartz Reef biodynamic vineyard on the north-facing lower hills of Bendigo Station… Audio
Land of the Grapes
Grape harvesting's in full swing in North Canterbury's Waipara Valley. At the Muddy Water winery, that's nestled in the lee of the Teviotdale Hills, tonnes of freshly picked chardonnay and pinot noir… Audio, Gallery
Country Life Summer Edition Saturday, January 9, 2016
A selection of some of the best Country Life stories from 2015. In this episode: Auntsfield Estate, Torere Garlic and Benneydale Beckoning. Audio
Auntsfield Estate
Auntsfield Estate is the home of Marlborough's first colonial vineyard and winery. The original vineyard was established in 1873 by David Herd who made wine for over 50 years before the property… Audio
On The Bubble
Daniel Le Brun is known as the "grandfather" of sparkling wine in New Zealand. He came here after getting frustrated with the strict regulations governing the production of champagne in France and has… Audio