SCOTT BASE CENTAL OTAGO
Scott Base Vineyard is located at the T intersection of State Highway 6, more commonly known as the Wanaka to Queenstown Highway. The vineyard fronts onto the State Highway but is accessed via McNabb Road on the northern boundary, overlooking nearby Cromwell and Lake Dunstan, with the Pisa Range behind as a backdrop.
The vineyard was estabished in 1994 by Martin and Sue Anderson . Ten years later Martin and Sue sold the vineyard, wines and the brand to a consortium in which the Scott family held a 25% shareholding. In 2007 the family sold its interest to the remaining shareholders to concentrate on their Marlborough interests.
This short foray, and the family’s long standing love of Central Otago (beginning with their friendship with co-pioneering wineries) lured the family back after the consortium decided to sell the “Home Block” as part of a re-jig of its holdings. It was an easy decision for the family to come back to a perfectly located site with an established vineyard that was producing exceptional wines.
THE SCOTT BASE VINEYARD
Mainly North facing the six-hectare vineyard is predominantly planted in Pinot Noir, with small plots of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Sara Scott, as group viticulturist, is responsible for overall management of the vineyard.
It is intended to gradually replant some of the older vines with newer clones of grafted vines and buid a gravity flow winery making use of its terraces. An existing Cellar Door shop will be reopened for the summer of 2009/10 and perhaps beyond.
The Scott Base Pinot Noir was released mid July and it is hoped to have a Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Riesling available later in the season.