Churton

06.07.20

Share This Page

Churton is a fantastic 22-hectare family run vineyard, which was established in 1997 by Sam and Mandy Weaver. It is named after Church Pulverbatch in Shropshire (known as Churton), which is where Sam was born. The estate is located to the North of the South Island in New Zealand, between the Omaka and Waihopai Valleys, in the renowned region of Marlborough. It is 200 metres above sea level and faces north-east meaning the vines get to fully benefit from the cool morning and daytime sun, which is ideal for slow and long ripening. The property comprises of 17 blocks, each parcel with its own aspect and topography. Each block is harvested individually and kept separate through the winemaking process. The four grape varieties grown are: Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Noir & Petit Manseng. Sustainability is key at Churton: Everything is hand-harvested, farmed using biodynamic practices, and they are certified organic with Bio-Gro New Zealand.

“Usually, for me, one of the best Sauvignon Blancs in all of the land of the long white cloud. No slouch from 2018." - 95/100 Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, September 2019

“A richly-textured and weighty sauvignon blanc. A concentrated wine with melon, grapefruit, struck flint and biscuity yeast lees flavours. Impressive. Good to see a switch to screwcap from cork this vintage."
94/100 – Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review

"It’s as un-mucked about a wine as you can get: fresh, fruity, juicy, silky smooth, herbal and spicy and just begging to be drunk, lightly chilled, in satisfyingly large quantities." - Best wines to drink in June, Jonathan Ray 2020

BIODYNAMICS AT CHURTON

They started biodynamics from the get go and organics was brought in in 2004 and fully certified by 2008. One of the first 20 wineries in NZ to go organic. They felt it was the healthiest way to high quality healthy wines from a healthy environment and the best way to deliver a true expression of Churton and the terroir. They felt it was the healthiest way to high quality healthy wines from a healthy environment.

Farming at Churton is all about respecting the land and protecting it, leaving it stronger and more ecologically resilient for future generations. Combining a love of life and the land, they adopted an integrated holistic farming system: modern-day biodynamics. Thinking of biodynamics in terms of a hierarchy in our farming:

Microbiology
The foundation of agriculture: healthy soils and plants are invigorated with biodynamic preparations and fungi-rich compost. This develops and strengthens the general microbial ecology and the life of the soil.

Macro-biology
The greater biological composition of the farm: the animals, inter-row plants, insects, vines and all that feed and encourage the microbial diversity, the introduction of nutrients and plant and animal competition. Churton is a polyculture not just a monoculture of vines

Cosmic biology
They believe the sun and moon have an effect on our lives, plants and wines. Timing is everything in farming so they work with the biodynamic calendar when planning activities.

Spiritual biology
Great wine can only come from a place that is managed by people with a strong emotional and spiritual connection to the land.

A message from the winemaker Ben: