A True Reflection of This Piece of Land
The Wrekin is a family-owned and operated certified organic vineyard and winery nestled in the foothills of Marlborough's Southern Valleys. [^68^] Andrew and Jan Johns purchased the property in 1998 as a sheep and beef farm, planting the first vines in 2002. [^68^] From the 17-hectare vineyard, they produce mostly Pinot Noir with smaller quantities of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc — all hand-harvested and basket-pressed in a small, on-site gravity-flow winery where fruit is grown, crafted into wine, and aged without ever leaving the farm. [^68^] Together with vigneron Jeremy Hyland and winemaker Hätsch Kalberer, the Johns family endeavours to produce wines that best represent the unique qualities of their vineyard, guided by organic and biodynamic practices. [^68^]
From Sheep Farm to Organic Vineyard
The Wrekin story begins with a sheep and beef farm. Andrew and Jan Johns purchased the property in 1998 — 360 hectares of rolling hills in the foothills of Marlborough's Southern Valleys. [^68^] It was an unplanted sheep paddock, part of a wider farm that had been grazed for generations. The name "The Wrekin" comes from a historic hill and landmark in Shropshire, England, near where the family has roots — a rock cleft on that hill gives its name to the estate's flagship Pinot Noir, Needle's Eye. [^69^]
The first vines went into the ground in 2002: 11.5 hectares of Pinot Noir on the undisturbed soils of the hillside. [^69^] The Johns family were not wine industry veterans — they were farmers who saw potential in the land. Andrew and Jan, together with their children Anna and Andy, live on the farm to this day, building a culture of care and attention over two decades. [^68^]
The vineyard lies within its own small valley on the north-facing slopes of the Fairhall Valley, part of the Southern Valleys sub-region. [^69^] Ancient clay soils overlying greywacke parent rock are significantly different from the loess soils of the lower Wairau Valley floor. [^69^] The elevation, rolling hillside and orientation of the blocks contribute to a unique terroir — one that produces wines with a distinct sense of place and a texture unlike the typical Marlborough style.
Farming organically since 2012 and biodynamically from 2018, The Wrekin received BioGro organic certification (#5732) in 2019. [^69^] The transition was not a marketing decision but a natural evolution of the family's farming philosophy — a belief that good wine is made in the vineyard, and that the health of the soil is inseparable from the quality of the wine.
"Good wine is made in the vineyard. Biodynamics brings together a whole-farm ecosystem where our animals and flora contribute to soil and vine health, adding resilience in an ever-changing climate."
— The Wrekin Philosophy
Clay, Greywacke & A Living Ecosystem
The Wrekin Vineyard is nestled at the foothills of a wider 360-hectare farm. The vineyard blocks are diversified across a range of aspects, soil types and elevations — not only giving many different flavour profiles within the vineyard, but spreading the hand-harvest over a 30+ day period where parcels can be picked as they ripen. [^69^]
The soils are ancient clay over greywacke parent rock — significantly different from the loess soils occurring in the lower valley areas. [^69^] This denser soil type has greater water-holding capacity, allowing the team to dry-farm significant areas of the vineyard, with irrigation from the dam limited to intermittent application only when necessary. [^69^] The vines tend to have minimal soil compaction, resulting in a healthy microbial ecosystem and a naturally balanced substructure.
The vineyard is incredibly parcellated. Pinot Noir dominates at 11.5 hectares, planted in 2002 with initial Dijon clones 777, 667, 115 and 114. [^69^] Second plantings included Abel, 10/5, UCD clone 5 and UCD clone 6. More recently, Entav clones 943 and 828 were added, contributing to vintages from 2017 onwards. [^69^] Chardonnay occupies 4.5 hectares on the lower slopes, bordered by olive trees on north- and west-facing contours. [^69^] Chenin Blanc — the noble variety of the Loire Valley — was planted in 2008 on a hillside overlooking the dam, in a block first pruned by the eldest daughter, Libby. [^69^]
All grapes are hand-harvested. The recent construction of an on-site gravity-flow winery means fruit is grown, made into wine, and aged without ever leaving the farm — a true estate operation from vine to bottle. [^68^] Yields are kept low, averaging 5.9 tonnes per hectare across all varieties. [^69^]
Since 2014, Needle's Eye has combined all 8 Pinot Noir clones (now 10 since 2017) grown on the different contours and aspects of the vineyard. [^69^] The wine is intended as a true representation of the terroir — layered, complex, and built to age. The 2020 and 2022 vintages produced a select wine known as the "Red Admiral" — fine tannins and elegance in a bottle. [^69^]
Planted in 2009 on lower slopes bordered by olive trees. The west-facing contours enhance crisp acidity and texture, while the north-facing block contributes ripeness and depth. [^69^] The first Wrekin Vineyard Chardonnay was produced in 2020 — an elegant, Chablis-style wine that has quickly become a benchmark for the region.
1.5 hectares planted in 2008 on a hillside overlooking the dam. The block was first pruned by the eldest daughter, Libby, and the wine is named in her honour. [^69^] Dry, floral, with notes of green apples and baked quince — a rare and noble expression of this Loire variety in New Zealand.
Organic since 2012, biodynamic from 2018, certified BioGro #5732 from 2019. [^69^] Biodynamic preparations are made using indigenous ingredients from the farm — manure from Angus beef females, local yarrow, and flora native to the area. Winery wastewater is sprayed back onto the olive blocks, and home-grown compost closes the loop. [^69^]
Hand-Harvested, Gravity-Fed & Minimal Intervention
The Wrekin's winemaking is a pure reflection of its biodynamic principles. The goal is to create a healthy, self-sustaining ecosystem that produces grapes with minimal need for intervention in the cellar. [^57^] Every vintage begins with Jeremy Hyland leading a small team pruning the vines in the cold winter months, taking care to respect sap flow and the longevity of the 20+ year old vines. [^68^]
Throughout the year, soil-enriching biodynamic preparations are prepared on specific days with help from the local BD community. [^68^] In summer, the team expands to include young travelling wine-lovers, locals and friends who hand-harvest all blocks over a 30+ day period. Through the year they come together for dinners and events to celebrate milestones, birthdays and biodynamic days. [^68^]
In the winery, Hätsch Kalberer employs a light touch. The gravity-flow design means fruit is handled gently, with no pumping. Ferments are wild, with indigenous yeasts from the vineyard. Wines are basket-pressed, aged in a combination of stainless steel and old French oak, and bottled without fining or filtration. [^57^] The result is wines of purity and texture — honest expressions of their site.
The Wrekin also sells fruit to some of New Zealand's most respected winemakers. Daniel Sorrell crafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Wrekin fruit in 2021, describing the vineyard as "a dramatic hillside site with a unique variety of soils" where "the unique gravel and rock soil composition combined with the gentle sloping contour ideally stresses the vines and produces stunning fruit with phenomenal concentration." [^52^] Mike Paterson of Corofin has also worked with Wrekin fruit, producing single-vineyard expressions that have scored 95–96 points from critics. [^50^]
Corofin The Wrekin Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023 — 95 Points, Wine Anorak
"This is beautifully floral and fresh with sappy red cherry fruit on the nose and some fine silky texture to the red cherry and berry fruits on the palate. Elegant and understated with lovely precision. This shows real finesse and elegance, allied to some substance." [^50^] The Wrekin fruit — grown on clay-rich hillside soils, organically farmed, hand-harvested — speaks through the wine with clarity and distinction. It is a Pinot Noir of genuine finesse, not power; of precision, not weight.
A Family, A Team, A Culture of Care
The Wrekin is more than a vineyard. It is a family home, a working farm, and a community hub. Andrew and Jan Johns live on the property, as do Anna and Andy. [^68^] But it is the team behind them that makes The Wrekin a truly special place — Jeremy Hyland's leadership in the vineyard, Hätsch Kalberer's touch in the winery, and the seasonal crew of travellers, locals and friends who bring energy and curiosity to every harvest. [^68^]
The culture is one of care and attention built over two decades. "The people that steward this land are what make this part of the world truly special," the family says. "We are lucky to attract bright, curious minds eager to learn and contribute to farming our grapes in harmony with the land and climate." [^69^] The long days and crisp mornings are made palatable by Jeremy's leadership style and the culture Andrew and Jan have built since 1998.
The future of The Wrekin is rooted in the same principles that have defined it since the first vines were planted: organic and biodynamic farming, hand-harvesting, minimal intervention, and a deep respect for the land. As the vines mature — now over 20 years old — and the team's understanding of the site's many micro-parcels deepens, the wines will only become more expressive. The gravity-flow winery, completed in 2022, ensures that this expression is captured with the gentlest possible touch. [^55^]
"The care and attention in pruning the vines, the endless hours making and applying biodynamic preparations, the long days and crisp mornings — only made palatable by Jeremy's leadership style and Andrew and Jan's culture built over the last two decades."
— The Wrekin Team
The Wrekin Range
The Wrekin produces small quantities of hand-picked, basket-pressed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc — all estate-grown, certified organic, and made in the on-site gravity-flow winery. [^68^] The style is one of purity, elegance, and age-worthiness — wines that express the unique clay and greywacke terroir of the Southern Valleys with honesty and precision. Prices are approximate and in NZD.