Beautiful Central Otago, New Zealand is the Andrus family’s second home. Although primarily known for Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand is taking a bold position with Pinot Noir. In Central Otago, the coolest growing region in the country, Pinot Noir is planted to 80% of the total vineyard land. New Zealand is a fertile environment for Pinot Noir with its cool climate, free-draining soils, and wide temperature swings from day to night. Gary and Christine have begun development on three vineyards in Central Otago. The first purchased was the famous Colleen’s Vineyard in Gibbston Valley, which has been renamed Gibbston Home Estate Vineyard and produced the very first vintage of Gypsy Dancer Estates New Zealand Pinot Noir in 2003. It was planted to Clone 5 (similar to the Pommard clone) in 1996. The experimental winery sits on the Glenlee Vineyard, just two kilometers down the road from the Home Estate, and planted in 2004 to twenty hectares.

Gary and Christine also purchased a small parcel in the Bannockburn growing region about 35 kilometers from the Gibbston Home Estate: the Kawarau Gorge Vineyard. Less than five hectares are planted on this site.

All vineyards have been planted to Dijon clones 114, 115, 667, 777 and Pommard, which are quite new to New Zealand. Ever the visionary, Gary is planting these new vineyards in the density that has become his style—10,000 vines per hectare.