Two Degrees Vineyard

The plot itself faces NE and has stony riverbed soil overlaid with wind-blown loess. The gentle 2° slope  helps the occasional frost and cold air to roll off into the Clutha River basin.  Good grower degree days averaging between 1100 & 1200 per year, ensure that the grapes ripen well in this vineyard. The rural setting casts its own tranquillity, the mooing cattle and bleating sheep giving it an ambience all its own.

We named our vineyard Two Degrees in order to reflect the importance of the terrain on which it lies - that gentle 2 degree slope was integral to the choice of the site because of the way  the frosts are encouraged to slide away and not settle on the vines. We also recognize the close relationship of people in New Zealand and in our lives where six degrees of separation seems to shrink to two.

In the name we especially commemorate a special friend Andrew who died with our daughter Anna and their friend Lisa in a shocking accident on the access road of Treble Cone in July 2004. Andrew's words are etched in our brains and echo in our minds: "Don't give your vineyard a name which relates directly to a geographical feature - there are too many mounts, ridges, gullies.  Think of something quirky and modern."

The vineyard is affiliated to Sustainable Wine Growing New Zealand.