A REFLECTION OF PLACE
The unique microclimate of the Bannockburn area is partially created by the presence of Mount Difficulty which overlooks the southern Cromwell basin, and is the namesake of Mt Difficulty Wines
MT DIFFICULTY
OUR STORY
Mt Difficulty Estate is comprised of six vineyards; Templars Hill, Pipeclay Terrace, Menzies Terrace, Mansons Farm, Target Gully and Long Gully – total plantings of 40 hectares protected by the rain shadow of Mount Difficulty in Bannockburn, Central Otago. The region provides New Zealand’s only “continental” style climate combined with unique soils ideally suited for growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. It all began in the early 1990’s, when the owners of five newly-planted vineyards in Bannockburn shook hands and decided to work together to produce wine under one label, Mt Difficulty. The agreement between the original “Gang of Four” was bound only by a gentlemen’s handshake, and remained in effect until 2004. The handshake bound the owners of
Molyneux, Mansons Farm, Verboeket Estate and Full Circle until 2004 when Mt Difficulty Wines Ltd was formed, and the majority of the individual vineyards passed into the ownership of the company. As a result, Mt Difficulty Wines Ltd now owns some of the oldest vineyards in the Bannockburn sub-region of Central Otago in New Zealand’s rugged South Island. The vine age gives our wines, particularly the Pinot Noirs, extra complexity and concentration. The Bannockburn area is internationally recognised as one of the few places in the world outside Burgundy where the pernickety Pinot Noir variety has found a home. Parts of New Zealand and cooler areas on the western seaboard of the United States are the only other regions where Pinot Noir seems to truly flourish.
The unique microclimate of the Bannockburn area is partially created by the presence of Mount Difficulty which overlooks the southern Cromwell basin, and is the namesake of Mt Difficulty Wines. Mount Difficulty is integral in providing low rainfall and humidity for the region. Bannockburn enjoys hot summers, a large diurnal temperature variation and long cool autumns; conditions which bring the best out of the Pinot Noir grapes. These conditions, along with soils which are ideal for viticulture, provide an excellent basis not only for Pinot Noir, but also for Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Chardonnay. The unique soils are a mix of clay and gravels, but all feature a high pH level; sweet soils are tailor-made for the production of quality wines.
THE GANG OF FOUR.
UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS PARTICULAR TO THEIR SITE.
SUSTAINABILITY
DOWNSTAIRS
A GREEN MANIFESTO
UPSTAIRS
The Mt Difficulty vineyards are managed in a way that reflects our commitment to be as gentle with the environment as we possibly can. We use no harsh insecticides or herbicides, preferring softer alternatives instead, many of which are organically certified. We have chosen to use the SWNZ framework for sustainability as a foundation on which to build, targeting a higher level of sustainability than is required by the initiative. Our stateof-the-art waste water treatment plant and the living roof on our new barrel hall are both testament to our intention to do all we can to protect and enhance our environment, both now and in the future. The sensitivity of our attitude towards the environment is ever evolving: currently, we are considering a more organic approach to viticulture. While many current operational systems
are strictly organic by definition they do not, at this time, take into account carbon losses through cultivation. This process of trying to remain organic while also reducing our carbon footprint is the area of viticultural management we are trying to resolve. The Mt Difficulty Winery was designed as a low energy input winery. The entire winery is housed in insulated buildings, and our new barrel hall is sunk below ground level to enable even more stable and lower energy inputs. Any tanks which are housed outside are also insulated. Our policy has always been to build in energy efficiency for the long term and to seek out innovative technology to keep us ahead of current practice.
The Mt Difficulty Winery and Cellar Door - commonly referred to as “Downstairs” and “Upstairs” In late 2000 a new winery was commissioned among the vines in Templars Hill vineyard on Felton Road. The winery was specially designed to produce quality Pinot Noir, but included separate facilities for other varieties and a specific barrel hall for Chardonnay. The building was completed just prior to Christmas 2001 and included an on-site Cellar Door which received many enthusiastic visitors over the busy summer holiday period. As the Mt Difficulty brand became better known, the small Cellar Door outgrew its premises in the winery and a new architecturally designed building was built high above the winery on Templars Hill. This building opened in February 2003 and
visitors were able, for the first time, to enjoy a glass of wine over a light platter lunch in the small café while marvelling at the views. Today the Cellar Door and Restaurant at Mt Difficulty Wines showcase the Mt Difficulty brand to thousands of New Zealand and international visitors annually. Though still small, the café has evolved to become a destination restaurant, with people travelling here for the food as well as the wine. Our popularity with diners has necessitated yet another extension, with a new wine tasting area having been opened in May 2012. We anticipate that this will improve the experience of wine enthusiasts and diners alike.
OUR WINE
COLLECTION
GROWERS SERIES
SINGLE VINEYARD
The grapes for the wines that carry the
The Growers Series first appeared in 2011 and
Mt Difficulty Single Vineyard wines are
Roaring
Mt Difficulty Bannockburn label are subject
allows us to showcase the terroir of different
produced from the best sites on our
from grapes grown on Mt Difficulty
to two strict criteria: they are managed
sub-regions. The Chardonnay is a blend of
Bannockburn properties. With variations
Wines vineyards that do not qualify as
under the umbrella of the Mt Difficulty
two of these vineyards, Packspur and Golden
in
grape
Mt Difficulty Estate wines. All of these
viticultural team and must be sourced from
Hills. Both are situated in the Lowburn area
clones the sites each have significantly
satellite vineyards are located in the
vineyards situated in Bannockburn, south
to the north of Cromwell. Packspur Vineyard
different features. The philosophy of the
Cromwell basin and all are cared for
of the Kawarau River. We believe this to
sits high on the foothills of the Pisa range
Single Vineyard wines is to display the
on a day to day basis by Mt Difficulty’s
be an area with very special qualities for
and is the highest of Mt Difficulty’s vineyards,
characteristics that are particular to their
viticultural team. At almost 80 hectares,
growing grapes, and that the management
ranging from 340 to 360m whilst Golden
terroir, thus each Single Vineyard wine
they make up close to half of the vineyard
of the vineyard is reflected in the quality of
Hills sits at the top of Burn Cottage Road
tells the unique story of its own place.
area available to Mt Difficulty Wines.
the ultimate product.
on a steep north facing slope with elevation
BANNOCKBURN
ranging from 300 to 340m.
soils,
microclimates
and
ROARING MEG Meg
wines
are
produced
OUR
PEOPLE
MATT DICEY
B.Sc & M.App Sc
JACQUI ROSE-ANDERSON
Wine Maker | General Manager
Cellar Door Manager
Matt (aka Le Grand Fromage) has a lifelong association with the wine industry, and is a fourth generation vigneron. After achieving a Masters Degree in Oenology and Viticulture Matt spent four years gaining experience overseas. He returned to Bannockburn in 1998 to try his hand at the ultimate winemaking challenge – making the best wines possible in a region with infinite potential. Matt’s winter passion is skiing with his family, while summers bring jet boating and mountain biking “adventures”.
Jacqui worked in wine retail before she arrived at Mt Difficulty in 2003. She has been the first point of contact for our mailing list customers and members of ‘The Pinot Club’ and the ‘Not-So-Difficult Wine Club’ for many years, but these days shares the role with all of the team at the Cellar Door. On Tuesdays you’ll sometimes get her out of office message; she’ll be on the Cromwell golf course.
73 Felton Road Bannockburn
+64 3 445 3445 cellar.door@mtdifficulty.co.nz
mtdifficulty.co.nz @mtdifficulty
/mtdifficulty
Photo credit: Mike Williamson
Central Otago