Founded in 1984 by James and Annie Millton, Millton Vineyards and Winery is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s organic and biodynamic wine movement. Located near Manutuke in Gisborne, the estate lies on land where grapes have been grown since the late 1800s - making it one of the country’s oldest vineyard areas. Annie’s family connection to the Opou vineyard, established by her father in the 1960s, set the stage for the couple’s decision to return home after winemaking apprenticeships in France and Germany.

With a vision grounded in natural farming and heritage viticulture, the Milltons have created an estate that is both deeply rooted and globally admired. Their wines - ranging from Chenin Blanc and Viognier to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay - are known for their purity, energy, and remarkable sense of place. Millton remains independent, family-owned, and steadfast in its commitment to authenticity.

Millton’s vineyards are spread across three main sites: Opou, Te Arai, and the hillside Clos de Ste. Anne - each offering unique soils and exposures within the Gisborne region. Clos de Ste. Anne, the most distinctive of the three, is planted on steep, northeast-facing slopes composed of volcanic ash and loam over calcareous clay and sandstone. These free-draining soils and moderate elevation yield wines of exceptional structure and tension.
Gisborne’s warm, dry days and cool evenings provide ideal ripening conditions for aromatic whites like Viognier and Chenin Blanc, while Chardonnay and Pinot Noir benefit from extended hang time and balanced acidity.

The Milltons practice dry farming and apply biodynamic principles to each site - using herbal, mineral, and animal preparations, as well as aligning vineyard activities with cosmic rhythms, such as lunar cycles, to enhance vine vitality and a self-sustaining ecosystem.