Millton Vineyards & Winery
New Zealand, Gisborne
About
James and Annie Millton established Millton Vineyards & Winery in 1984. Their four individual vineyards are situated on the East Coast of New Zealand’s North Island in the wine appellation of Gisborne. Located just a few kilometres from the South Pacific Ocean, this wine region enjoys a temperate maritime climate with warm summers cooled by the afternoon sea breezes, misty autumns and mild winters. A small family artisan winegrower, Millton was the first producer in New Zealand to gain Bio-Gro certification for organic wine production in 1989. Having practiced traditional methods of cultivation and production centred on biodynamic principles since inception, Millton gained the biodynamic certification Demeter in 2009. This involves growing the grapes without the use of herbicide, insecticide, systemic fungicides or soluble fertilisers. It also incorporates the use of special herbal, mineral and animal preparations and teas as well as a deep understanding of the complex cosmic rhythms which affect these daily activities. In the cellar the use of synthetic agents is forbidden and the use of animal products, cultured yeasts and introduced bacteria is minimised. James’ saying rings with a sincere ethic, “Before a wine can be great, it must first be true”. Millton Vineyards & Winery has three distinct brands including Clos de Ste. Anne, The Millton Vineyard and Crazy by Nature. All wines are grown, produced and bottled on the property. These wines consistently appear in fine dining rooms worldwide and have received many national and international accolades and awards. James travels internationally on a regular basis and to catch him talking with passion about his wines and the detail surrounding bio-dynamics, always inspires. In 2012, Her Majesty The Queen awarded James the Insignia of Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in June 2012 for his services to the wine industry. Following this, in 2013, James and Annie were named New Zealand Winegrower Personalities of the Year. Millton Vineyards & Winery are members of international biodynamic group La Renaissance des Appellations and the exclusive New Zealand collaboration The Family of Twelve.
Winemaker
James Millton
Founded
1984