In 1989 Chris Gambitis and Phil Binnie fulfilled a dream when they bought 11 hectares of abandoned vineyard in Rapaura, Wairau Valley. The vineyard lies on an extremely stony old riverbed that the previous owners had abandoned because they found it too difficult to work. Chris and Phil realised its potential and recognised that the poor, stony earth of the vineyard would impart quality and unique characteristics to the grapes produced.
In 1998 Phil and Chris were joined by winemaker Matt Thompson who was so impressed in the quality and potential of the wines that he became the third director of the company. Matt is a successful and experienced winemaker having made wine in both the Southern and Northern hemispheres.
Today Lake Chalice has four vineyard sites. The original Falcon Vineyard has been joined by the Quarry Block, another area of rehabilitated rocky land where Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are grown and a later extension of this vineyard, QBII where merlot is grown. The 12 hectare Eyrie vineyard located in the Waihopai Valley on the southern side of the Wairau Plain contains Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and a test block of Pinot Gris.
We are extremely pleased to have these wines in our portfolio and have just added the fantastic Marlborough Riesling from the Falcon Vineyards. |
