20 Year Old Vines
Located in pristine surrounds of Kaikoura seaward ranges
We are lucky to live among the pristine surrounds of Kaikoura Seaward ranges, with stunning views across the peninsula and along the Kaikoura coastline. Our 20-year-old vines over 1.5ha are the passion of our lives as is our little boy Parker.
As passionate sparkling lovers, we searched the world for an amazing location to grow Méthode Traditionnelle and found the perfect spot in Kaikoura. Kaikoura is the Méthode Traditionnelle and Crayfish capital of New Zealand. Stunning sparkling, grown locally which matches Kaikoura’s kaimoana.
We are 110% committed to producing world class sparkling wine. Specialises in late disgorgement vintage Méthode Traditionnelle with everything down under full French method, the same as Champagne. Our sparkling, typically, has been on lees for a minimum of 36 months, with upcoming releases having spent up to 9 years maturing.
Our estate is framed by the spectacular seaward ranges with panoramic landscapes expanding out over stunning sea views. This provides a dual microclimate of continental and oceanic influences. The sea breezes provide cool temperatures that are beneficial to the development of aromas and quality. The sea also provides heat during spring preventing damaging frosts during the early vine growth stages. The influence of the mountains also provides steady rainfall through the growing season, minimising need for irrigation and allowing vines to grow naturally.
We are passionate about a ‘living soil’ approach to viticultural and focus on low yield and high quality, to ensure balance and terroir authenticity within our wines. We undertake all roles on the vineyard along with marketing and distribution and intimately know each vine, bunch, and grape.
The vineyard is not only our business, but our backyard. It is where our little boy goes on adventures, our dog plays, our chickens, and ducks forage and where rabbits, insects and birds make their homes.
We spends approximately five years maturing our sparkling under full French Method and hence whilst we have been operating for over 10 years, it is only now that they are coming to fruition. Over the past 12 months, we have received high praise from wine critics across the country, scoring 95/100 and five stars from the likes of Bob Campbell, Michael Cooper, and Sam Kim.
Having recently disgorged our latest vintages, which include our 2016 Brut Cuvée, 2012 Sec Cuvée and our first non-vintage. Our non-vintage incorporates our hand-pressed, earthquake harvest. These will all be released under our brand-new branding.
We are really inspired by our new branding and cannot wait to launch it in May along with our new wines and website. Our branding is all based off the respect that we have for our natural environment and the importance that the Kaikoura canyon plays it Kaikoura unique microclimate
We are currently undertaking our earthquake repairs, following on from Kaikoura earthquake in 2016 and looking forward to opening their cellar door in Spring of 2022.
We are really excited to soon be able to operate properly again. The earthquake and then COVID-19 has inhibited our ability to host visitors. We will have a new cellar door and over the summer will be running a series of small outdoor events on the vineyard. We cannot wait to celebrate the summer by sharing our stunning sparkling with others.
In the meantime, if you are visiting Kaikoura and fancy a bottle, give us a call or order online. We can also provide chilled wine on arrival at your accommodation and holiday homes.
Aaron & Mel Skinner
Esses Wines - Kaikoura
