Seresin Estate

Seresin Estate is a leading winery in Marlborough, New Zealand, renowned for its commitment to organic and biodynamic farming, producing wines with a profound sense of place. Founded by a New Zealand-born cinematographer, the winery embodies a philosophy of "treading lightly" on the land and crafting elegant, balanced wines through a low-intervention approach.

History

Seresin Estate was founded in 1992 by Michael Seresin, a New Zealand-born, globally recognized cinematographer known for his work on films such as "Midnight Express" and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." Inspired by the food and wine culture he experienced while living in Italy, Seresin sought to create a winery that would reflect the same respect for the land and artisan craftsmanship.

From the very beginning, Seresin was one of the first wineries in Marlborough to embrace organic farming, a decision that went against conventional wisdom at the time. Their first vintage was released in 1996, and the vineyards were certified organic in 2003. The winery further progressed to biodynamic practices, and today, Seresin is the largest Demeter-certified biodynamic vineyard in Marlborough.

In 2018, the original Seresin winery and the Tatou vineyard were sold to two local winemakers, Ben Glover and Rhyan Wardman, who created a collaborative winemaking hub called The Coterie. Seresin Estate, however, continues to be a cornerstone client of The Coterie, with their premium wines still being made at this location under the supervision of the Seresin team. The focus has now shifted to producing super-premium, single-vineyard wines from their Raupo Creek vineyard.

Biography

  • Michael Seresin (Owner): A highly respected cinematographer whose love for nature and "Old World" winemaking traditions led him to establish Seresin Estate. His philosophy is one of reverence for the land, a belief that has guided the winery to become a pioneer in organic and biodynamic farming.

  • Tamra Kelly-Washington (Winemaker): A Marlborough native who started her career at Seresin Estate before gaining international experience in Italy, Australia, and the USA. She returned to Seresin as a consultant winemaker and is celebrated for her elegant, balanced winemaking style, which aligns perfectly with the estate's low-intervention philosophy.

  • Cameron Vawter (Viticulturist): As viticulturist, Vawter is a passionate advocate for biodynamic farming and oversees the meticulous, hands-on care of the Seresin vineyards, ensuring the health of the soil and the quality of the grapes.

Technical Details

Seresin's technical approach is a testament to their dedication to biodynamic viticulture and gentle winemaking, with a focus on expressing the unique character of their Raupo Creek vineyard.

  • Viticulture:

    • Certified Biodynamic and Organic: Seresin's vineyards are Demeter-certified biodynamic and also certified organic by BioGro NZ. They farm their entire estate, including olive groves and native vegetation, as a single, holistic organism.

    • Biodiversity: The estate is home to a diverse ecosystem, with sheep, cows, and chickens used to control weeds and pests and provide natural compost. They plant cover crops and wild flowers to encourage pollinators and soil health.

    • Soil: The vineyards are primarily located in the Raupo Creek area of the Omaka Valley, where clay-rich soils are ideal for growing a variety of grapes, especially Pinot Noir.

    • Manual Practices: All vineyard work, including harvesting, is done by hand to ensure the highest quality fruit.

  • Winemaking:

    • Minimal Intervention: The winery's approach is gentle and non-invasive, aiming to let the grapes and the terroir speak for themselves.

    • Wild Yeast Fermentation: All of their wines are fermented using indigenous, or "wild," yeasts, which gives them a unique textural quality and a genuine reflection of their place of origin.

    • Whole Bunch Fermentation: A portion of the Pinot Noir is fermented with whole bunches to add complexity and structure.

    • Aging: Wines are aged in a combination of stainless steel tanks and neutral French oak barrels.

    • Vegan-Friendly: The wines are made without the use of animal products for fining or filtration, making them suitable for vegans.

    • Low Sulphur: While some minimal sulphur is used for preservation, the amounts are kept to a minimum, in line with their philosophy of natural winemaking.