The Wrekin

is a small, family-owned winery located in the Southern Valleys of Marlborough, New Zealand. The winery is known for its pure, hand-crafted wines that are a vibrant expression of their site and a testament to biodynamic farming. The Wrekin's philosophy is rooted in a deep respect for the land and a minimalist approach in the cellar, focusing on creating honest, terroir-driven wines.

History

The Wrekin was founded by Richard and Ruth Scott in 2003. The name "The Wrekin" comes from a prominent hill in Shropshire, England, near where Richard grew up. The Scotts chose the Southern Valleys for its unique terroir—hillside sites with clay soils that are quite different from the typical gravelly soils of the Marlborough valley floor. This choice was deliberate, as they sought to create wines with a distinct sense of place.

From the beginning, the Scotts were committed to organic and biodynamic farming. They converted their home block to biodynamics in 2007 and received Demeter certification in 2011. The winery is a true family operation, with Richard managing the vineyard and winemaking and Ruth handling the business and marketing.

Biography

  • Richard and Ruth Scott (Owners): Richard is the hands-on viticulturist and winemaker. With a background in chemical engineering, he brings a scientific precision to his work, balanced by a deep, intuitive understanding of biodynamic farming. Ruth manages the business side of the winery. Together, they are the sole force behind The Wrekin.

Technical Details

The Wrekin's technical approach is a pure reflection of its biodynamic principles, aiming to create a healthy, self-sustaining ecosystem that produces grapes with minimal need for intervention.

Viticulture

  • Certified Biodynamic and Organic: The Wrekin is Demeter-certified, meaning the entire farm is managed as a single, holistic organism. No synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides are used.

  • Terroir: The vineyard is situated on an elevated, north-facing slope in the Southern Valleys. The soils are a mix of clay and river gravels, which retain moisture and give the wines a unique texture and minerality. The elevation provides cooler nights and a longer ripening period, which is crucial for developing complex flavors.

  • Hand-Harvesting: All grapes are hand-harvested to ensure they arrive at the winery in pristine condition.

Winemaking

  • Low Intervention: The winemaking is non-interventionist, with the goal of translating the character of the vineyard into the bottle.

  • Wild Yeast Fermentation: All wines are fermented using indigenous yeasts, which are found naturally in the vineyard and on the grapes. This adds to the complexity and unique character of the wines.

  • No Fining or Filtration: The wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving their natural integrity and texture.

  • Aging: The wines are aged in a combination of stainless steel tanks and old French oak barrels to build texture and complexity without adding oak flavors.

  • Focus on Purity: The Wrekin produces small quantities of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling, with a focus on purity, elegance, and a true expression of their distinct site.