John Mellars
of
Great Barrier Island

New Zealand

John Mellars has the distinction of owning the first commercial winery on Great Barrier Island. With less than one hectare of grapes, it will rank as one of the smallest vineyards in New Zealand.

Self-taught from books, friends and practical experience, he developed the vineyard and winery with his own hands and minimal help.

Site selection was easy as the property, purchased in 1973, has a north facing slope falling to the coast, providing drainage and direct sun with heat reflected from the bay. Fifteen hundred rootling vines were close planted in 1990 on a ti-tree framed VSP (vertical shoot positioned) trellis. The trellis was replaced with permanent posts and a mix of VSP and Scott Henry trellis in 1995.

Classical red varieties were chosen with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (30%) grapes ripening fully every year to produce a luscious, rich Bordeaux style red of considerable depth.

Winemaking is conducted using home grown grapes, hand harvested, mechanically de-stemmed, fermented in stainless steel, hand plunged, manually pressed and drained to French oak barrels. Most vintages are in oak, with minimal handling, for 15 months prior to bottling and cellaring.

Philosophy

The aim: Seduce Mother Nature to bear fruit of exceptional character. Craft with integrity.

Articles

Michael Cooper - Wine Consultant. 4 August 1997

The 1996 vintage is an elegant red, rather than a blockbuster and the best since the debut '93. The bouquet is fragrant with the aromas of ripe berry fruits, spice and cedary oak, the palate full bodied and quite forward in its appeal with very good depth of blackcurrent, spice and plum flavours, oak richness and firm but balanced tannins. It's a delicately flavoured, complex red amazingly enjoyable already yet sure to age well.

General Information

Location: Okupu Beach, Great Barrier Island
Global: 36 Degrees 10'S, 175 Degrees E
Soil: Shallow topsoil over burnt clays and granite
Planted: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (30%)
Rootstocks: Mostly S04 and Kober
Viticulture: Close planted, leaf plucked, summer trimmed
Trellis: 50% VSP, 50% Scott Henry
Harvest: Hand picked with friends

Wine Sales & Tastings by Appointment

John Mellars
Okupu Beach
Great Barrier Island
New Zealand
email: john.mellars@xtra.co.nz
phone: +64 9 429 0361
fax: +64 9 429 0370
cell: 027 429 0361

Other Links of Interest

Steve Mellars Page
Aotea - Great Barrier Island

crafted by Steve Mellars