Our History
Rippon has been farmed by the Mills family for 4 generations, dating back to 1912. We have been winegrowers since 1982 and our principal commitment is to our soils and connecting our people to our place.
The Beginning
In 1973, the late Rolfe Mills and his wife Lois made the decison to move back to the family farm here in Wanaka. Wanaka Station was bought early last century by Rolfe’s grand-father, Percy Sargood to farm angora goats. Ever since returning home via Portugal from the Second World War, where Rolfe was stationed in the Atlantic as a submarine lieutenant, he had considered the possibility of growing grapes here.
In 1975 he planted his first rows of experimental grapes - 30 different varieties, and by 1982, with much doubt from the DSIR and the viticultural “experts” of the time, he planted the first block of Rippon vineyard vines. You can find some of these, the oldest commercial vines in Central Otago situated behind the tractor shed.
The Pioneers
In the late 1980's Rolfe met with other early viticultural pioneers: Anne Pinckney, Alan Brady, Verdun Burgess and formed the Central Otago Grape Growers Association. Rolfe was summarily elected as the first president of the COGGA (now COWA) and between them they set the region's precedent for quality over quantity, which swiftly became one of the defining philosophies that helped Central Otago gain the high international esteem in which it is held. In 1992 Rippon Pinot Noir gained the national trophy for Best Red Wine, it was the first time a Pinot Noir had ever taken this honor and it ignited interest from not only the press but also drew experienced winemakers to the region.
Profound Respect
Rippon is still focused on producing wines that are the best representation of their surroundings and terroir. Great wine is measured by how well it expresses the grape variety, the soil structure, the microclimate, the year's meteorology and finally us, the humans. We affect the final product with energy, emotions and style we bring with us. With a profound respect for the cycles that govern our soils, both overhead and underfoot. We have been farming as a biodynamic vineyard for over 20 years. The property is cared for as a perpetual and dynamic whole fostering products of intensity, elegance & finesse.
Committed
At Rippon we are philosophically committed to producing biodynamic wine, and are focused on producing wines that are the best representation of their surroundings or terroir. Great wine is measured as how well it expresses: the grape variety, the soil structure, the microclimate, the year’s meteorology and finally us, the humans. We affect the final product with the energy, emotions and style we bring with us. We are a small family owned vineyard here at Rippon and it is very important to us and the vines that the team works well together, has fun, and most importantly all have the same understanding of what a special place Rippon is, and what we are trying to achieve here.
