Churton

Churton is a family-owned winery in the Waihopai Valley of Marlborough, New Zealand, distinguished by its pioneering commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture. Founded on a philosophy of "New World wine tempered with Old World style," the winery crafts soulful, terroir-driven wines, including Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, that express the unique character of their hillside vineyards.

History

Churton was established in 1997 by Sam and Mandy Weaver. Sam, with a background in farming, microbiology, and the fine wine trade, sought to combine his passions to create a winery with a strong ecological foundation. The name "Churton" is a nod to the farm where Sam grew up in Shropshire, England.

From the start, the Weavers focused on sustainable practices, with the winery becoming one of the first in Marlborough to be certified organic in 2008. They took their commitment further by embracing biodynamics, receiving full certification from Demeter. The 22-hectare vineyard is a single, undulating hillside property with a northeast-facing aspect, which the Weavers believe is crucial for slow, even ripening. The winery is now managed by their sons, Ben and Jack, who continue to champion their parents' philosophy while introducing their own innovative winemaking projects.

Biography

  • Sam and Mandy Weaver (Founders): Sam is the principal winemaker and viticulturist, bringing a deep understanding of microbiology and a "hands-on" approach to the vineyard. Mandy manages the business side, including administration and marketing.

  • Ben and Jack Weaver (Second Generation): The Weaver sons are now at the helm, managing the vineyard and cellar. They have introduced a new range of "Natural State" wines, which are a further expression of the family's low-intervention philosophy.

Technical Details

Churton's approach to viticulture and winemaking is a meticulous blend of biodynamic principles and a low-intervention style, all aimed at producing wines that are an authentic expression of their terroir.

Viticulture

  • Certified Biodynamic and Organic: The entire 51-hectare farm, which includes the 22-hectare vineyard, is managed as a single, biodynamic organism. It is certified by both BioGro and Demeter.

  • Unique Terroir: The vineyard is situated on an undulating hillside with older, denser clay-based soils, which have a greater water-holding capacity than the alluvial soils of the Marlborough valley floor. This allows the Weavers to dry-farm the vineyard whenever possible.

  • Polyculture and Biodiversity: Churton is managed as a polyculture, not a monoculture. The Weavers actively encourage biodiversity by using inter-row plants, grazing animals, and maintaining native bush and river areas, which strengthens the farm's resilience.

  • Hand-Harvesting: All grapes are hand-harvested to ensure the fruit is in pristine condition when it reaches the winery.

Winemaking

  • Low Intervention: The winemaking philosophy is guided by minimal intervention, allowing the grapes to express themselves.

  • Wild Yeast Fermentation: Most of the wines, including the Natural State range, are fermented using indigenous yeasts found naturally in the vineyard and winery.

  • Lees Aging: Wines are often aged on their lees (spent yeast cells) for an extended period, which adds complexity, texture, and a creamy mouthfeel.

  • No Fining or Filtration: Most of the wines are bottled without fining or filtration, preserving their natural character and structure.

  • Specific Styles: The Sauvignon Blanc is made in a dry, savory style with a focus on texture and aging potential. The Pinot Noir benefits from the clay soils and careful use of French oak, resulting in a complex and structured wine.