Richard & Di needed an excuse to escape the rigours of Sydney and return to where their hearts always lay  -  Central Otago.

So in 2003 they planted 15000 vines into the free draining wind-blown loess soils at this stunning site half way between Wanaka and Cromwell on SH6, with the spectacular St Bathans Range forming an impressive backdrop.

Four years later in 2007 they produced their first vintage.   As the vines mature so does the understanding of what the terroir is capable of. Two Degrees pinot noir has gone from strength to strength,  and as of 2020 the wine has won multiple gold & silver medals in New Zealand as well as three trophies at the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards for the best pinot noir in show.

Why TWO DEGREES aka 2˚?

• It’s that gentle slope of 2˚ which encourages the frosts to roll away to the Clutha River!

• It reminds us of the chilly nights of autumn which coupled with warm sunny days give us that wonderful diurnal range so important to the production of pinot noir.

• It recognises the close relationships of people in New Zealand where 6˚ seems to shrink to 2˚

• It commemorates our daughter Anna and her friends Andrew and Lisa who died together on the Treble Cone access road in 2004 and wanted us to choose a “quirky” name for the vineyard.