Rippon vineyard is a jewel of Central Otago. The picture-perfect setting of Rippon on the shores of Lake Wanaka looking out to Ruby Island has a fairy-tale quality. And the story of how it came to be is almost just as mythical, thanks to one soldier’s lightbulb moment in the Second World War. But don’t be fooled by the view, their story is one of passion and a lot of hard work in one of New Zealand’s most extreme climates.
Lois and Rolfe Mills are recognised as part of the ‘first five’ pioneers of the modern Central Otago wine industry, and their dedication to the land has been passed to the next generation running the vineyard today. In 2019, Rippon was awarded the Best Vineyard in Australasia and ranked 8th best in the world.
Rippon's story began in 1912 when Sir Percy Sargood bought a high-country station on the western flanks of Lake Wanaka, spanning all of what is central Wanaka today. When he died, “considerable swathes of land” had to be sold to cover death duties. Fast forward thirty years, Percy's grandson Rolfe was a submarine lieutenant in the Second World War. While on duty, Rolfe spent some time in the Atlantic coast of Portugal. The schist slopes of the Douro valley reminded him of home, it was his “first lightbulb moment.”
It wasn’t until 1975, thirty years after his initial idea while running the farm as an angora goat stud, that he and his wife Lois decided to plant some experimental vines. They were the first family to plant Pinot Noir in Central Otago, the Pioneers of the region. Rippon has been organic since inception, and biodynamic since 2002, after winemaker Nick Mills returned from studying in Burgundy. Nick Mills is the fourth generation of his family to walk the rows on Rippon, he has a brilliant winemaking CV having worked with Nicolas Potel, Benjamin Leroux, JJ Confuron, Pascal Marchand and Domaine de la Romanee Conti in Burgundy.
Nick Mills has transformed Rippon to be one of the leading producers in the region. The Pinot Noir is the star of the show, showcasing elegance, structure, and minerality. The wines age gracefully and the team at The World of Wine encourages you to explore the Rippon Mature Vines Pinot Noir and the flagship Tinkers Field Pinot Noir.
