Churton

Marlborough

Churton is a 50 hectare farm in the southern hills of Marlborough, about half of which is now under vine. Sam and Mandy Weaver are Churton’s founders, and long before it was fashionable, they approached the farm and the vineyard with strong ecological values. The vineyard has been organic since the beginning in 1997, and is managed with biodynamic principles.

They produce hand-harvested Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir as well as small quantities of Viognier and Petit Manseng. They focus on these four grape varieties, as they believe they are best suited to the undulating hillside vineyard with its north-east aspect, clay soils and specific microclimate.

Their wine making is based on minimal intervention, and patience. All wines undergo a slow, natural fermentation before resting on lees and spending time in bottle.

Vineyard and Winery Production Manager

Ben Weaver

Ben’s overseas experiences of vintages at Bonny Doon in California, USA and M. Chapoutier in the Rhone Valley, France had a lot of influence on his thinking about organics and biodynamics.

Back in New Zealand, Ben managed the innovative Mount Beautiful winery in Canterbury for five years before returning to Churton in 2019, and joining his brother Jack in running the business.

His approach follows on from his father Sam’s – giving a wine drinker a glimpse of Churton though their wines that is the best way to share what they have. This means the fruit is the key, from the way they set up the vineyard to how they tend the vines through the growing season. They hand pick all of their fruit and gently care for it in the winery and through its journey to bottle.

Biodynamics at Churton

Churton’s 22 hectares of vines are farmed biodynamically and certified organic. They truly believe that biodynamic farming is the best way to express the essence of their place and to leave it ecologically resilient for future generations.

The ‘pillars’ of their approach are enhancing soil microbiology and health, and encouraging biodiversity. They are also committed to farming according to ‘cosmic biology’, using the lunar and solar cycles as guides. And at the same time, they have a strong belief that great wine can only come from a place that is managed by people with a strong emotional and spiritual connection to the land.

For more than thirty years, they have farmed the land ‘with a delicate hand’, resulting in healthy soils, healthy vines and delicious wines, and a home for flora, fauna, animals and people alike.