Stephen White is the founder and owner of Stonyridge Vineyard, located on Waiheke Island. A native of Auckland, his journey into winemaking stretches back to a time spent racing and skippering yachts and working at wineries in France, California and Italy. He came to love the culture and lifestyle of the Mediterranean and the great red wines of France,Tuscany and California.

This passion brought him back to New Zealand where he identified a north-facing site on Waiheke Island as ideal for cultivating Bordeaux grape varieties, and in 1982, he planted the first vines and olive trees.

By 1985, Stephen was producing the inaugural vintage at Stonyridge, and two years later, the 1987 Larose was acclaimed as one of New Zealand's greatest red wines. Today, Stonyridge Larose continues to be regarded as one of the best Bordeaux blends in the world. "

The Stonyridge vineyard covers 6 hectares and only the best clones have been selected to be grafted onto low-volume rootstocks. The first Bordeaux vines and olive trees were planted in 1982. When Cabernet Franc and Malbec were planted in 1983, it was the beginning of New Zealand’s first Bordeaux four blend.

The unique terroir of Waiheke plays a crucial role in shaping the distinctive character of Stonyridge wines. The vineyard has a very Mediterranean like climate – with some of the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand, the Hauraki gulf creates a warm climate, balanced by cooling sea breezes. Well drained clay and volcanic soils help provide water retention and minerality, but also inhibit vigour.

The vineyard regime is one of minimal intervention, focusing on soil health and biodiversity. And hand-harvesting and traditional Bordeaux winemaking – ensures that only the best fruit is selected.