Why it matters
The producer
Millton Vineyard works in Manutuke, Gisborne, with estate grown grapes sourced from its own single vineyards. Biodynamic techniques have been used for more than 35 years. Millton became New Zealand's first producer to gain Bio-Gro certification for organic wine production in 1989, followed by Demeter biodynamic certification in 2009.
Its brands include The Millton Single Vineyard, Crazy by Nature, Clos de Ste and Libiamo. The range moves between single vineyard wines and more unusual field blends, with grape names and vineyard names kept close to the bottle.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Manutuke is Millton Vineyard's home in Gisborne, New Zealand. The producer's own single vineyards supply the estate grown grapes, keeping vineyard origin central to the wines.
Te Arai appears as a vineyard designation on a Gisborne Chenin Blanc. Gisborne names the regional origin, Chenin Blanc names the grape, and Te Arai identifies the vineyard designation on the bottle.
Wines to know
The range in view
Millton's range spans four distinct brands. The named wines include Millton Libiamo Field Blend 2021 and Millton Vineyard Te Arai Chenin Blanc 2021, two white wines with different forms of detail.
Libiamo Field Blend 2021 is an orange wine made from estate grown Viognier, Marsanne and Muscat. It is dry and spicy, with gentle phenolic grip and salinity. The wine was fermented and aged on its skins for 215 days, then rested in older demi muid oak and bottled without fining or filtration.