‘Neudorf Vineyards’ is a Nelson based winery, well loved by us here at Specialist Cellars and regarded as one of New Zealand’s treasured Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producers. Tim and Judy Finn planted vines back in 1978, not really knowing what would work but persevering, with trials and errors and loving every learning curve along the way. Thankfully their determination paid off and four decades later Neudorf is only moving from strength to strength as each vintage goes on.
The vineyard is based on gravelly soils of an ancient river system, which combined with Nelson’s gentle climate and Neudorf’s non interventionist winemaking produce wines of clarity and distinction. Winemaker Todd Stevens follows structure & texture over flavour and in the Moutere vineyard viticulturist Stef Brockley follows an organic regime with intense hand work. The 35-hectares under vine are hand thinned, leaf plucked and hand picked.
While their portfolio boasts seven different varietals, there are multiple brands and bottles under these grapes. As said, their Chardonnays are of world class level with the ‘Rosie’s Block’ being distinctive, luscious and mineral. The ‘Moutere Chardonnay’ is incomparable in flavour, being tactile and rich. Tom’s Block Pinot Noir is supple, silky and pure. Their Sauvignon Blanc is a more refined version than other kiwi Savs, and the Moutere Albarino has to be tried to be understood.
As Judy says “Making wine is constantly scary and stimulating. We survive on hard work, high hopes and a dollop of common-sense and cunning”.
To find out more about Neudorf and their wines, visit their website here.