At Petane Wines we produce boutique wines that are both premium in quality and unique from vintage to vintage. With a combination of the optimal site and environment, careful rootstock and clone selection and thoughtful vineyard management practices, we work with nature to achieve well balanced, interesting wine that reflects the site and the vintage.

DRY FARMED

Our vineyard is dry farmed; this means our vines only receive water from mother nature as rainfall. They then become self-reliant during a dry spell to stuggle for water. This struggle forces the vine roots to grow deeper down into the native terroir, not just relying on the top layer of soil for moisture and minerals. Dry farming results in a lower yield per acre but sweeter, smaller, more intensely flavoured berries. This produces higher quality, complex wine that strongly reflects the native terroir.

HAND PICKED & WHOLE BUNCH PRESSED

During harvest we selectively hand-pick the grape bunches so only the fully-ripe, premium quality fruit is harvested. The gentle handling of this process allows our grapes to arrive at the winery intact and in the best possible condition for whole bunch pressing.

SUSTAINABLE PRINCIPLES

We are a certified Sustainable Wine New Zealand (SWNZ) vineyard and strive to work in harmony with the environment. To minimise the need to weed spray, sheep are grazed on the vineyard during the winter months. Compost is applied to the soil and organic seaweed foliar sprays are used to enhance the vines nutrient uptake. Native birds such as tui, bellbird, kārearea and kererū are attracted to the property by the planting of native trees. Tui are nectar foragers and fiercely territorial and are often seen chasing pest birds off the property. The native wasp, bumble bee, honey bee and other beneficial insects are encouraged by inter-row planting of phacelia, buck wheat and lupins. This adds to the plant diversity and soil health and helps to control pest insects.