Early Days

Steve Sawatske moved to New Zealand following his dream to produce world class Pinot Noir, after many years this dream is finally being realized with the release of his first wine. Otago Crown is situated 25 km north of Cromwell on State Highway 6 (Cromwell/Wanaka road) and commands extensive views towards the St Bathans and Dunstan ranges to the north and east.

It was never going to be plain sailing as the barren rosehip and rabbit filled block Steve purchased in 2000 had not been irrigated to that point, with the nearest source of water some 1.6 kilometres away. Ground preparation unearthed 1200 tonnes of rock which was subsequently used for roading and to line the 5 million litre dam. It took nearly 2 years to get water to the site with planting beginning immediately in 2001 on the first 8 hectares. Further plantings in 2002 and 2003 increased the vineyard area to 25 hectares, five of which are on manicured terraces at the back of the property.

The site has an accumulated seasonal heat typical of Lowborn/Pisa sub region (1000 GDD’s) and is situated on a gently sloping terrace facilitating very good air movement to minimize frosts. The soils are typical of the region: shallow top soils over free draining schist gravels and the vineyard is exclusively planted to the latest clones of Pinot Noir (113, 114 ,115 , 667, 777, 5, 6 ,10/5).

Our People

In 2001 Peter and Karen Hume decided to give vineyard life a go and moved from Southland to Marlborough to work on a 60 hectare vineyard on the outskirts of Blenheim. From not knowing anything about vineyards, they quickly moved up the ranks with Peter becoming the head tractor driver and Karen vineyard supervisor. Returning home for a family visit in 2003 they noticed a dramatic change in the landscape around Cromwell - stock paddocks were being replaced by vineyards. This prompted them to move to Cromwell and quickly gained employment with a local vineyard contractor. Otago Crown was one of the vineyards Peter and Karen worked on, and in 2005 decided that they wanted to employ their skills in just one vineyard, choosing Otago Crown as it was the vineyard they enjoyed working on the most. They now live onsite and since their arrival the vineyard has seen a remarkable improvement in vine growth, and general tidiness. Karen is currently furthering her viticulture knowledge, by studying a Certificate in Wine.