My most cherished winery visit memory? It’s a vivid snapshot of a crisp autumn day at Mt Maude. Imagine: a restaurant staff famil trip, arriving at the Wilson family home, greeted by Dawn, Terry, and Sarah-Kate with warm smiles, fresh baking, and steaming coffee. Sarah-Kate, with a basket of wine in hand, led us into the 4-hectare Mt Maude Vineyard, wine glasses clinking. Tasting wines right beside the vines where they grew? Unforgettable. The warmth of Dawn and Terry felt like visiting grandparents. We then headed to the Maude winery near Wanaka, where Sarah-Kate and Dan gave us an insider’s tour of their winemaking, even letting us punch down a few ferments. Lunch with the staff, shared bottles, and laughter—it was a truly special experience.

 

Last year marked 30 years since Dawn (a potter) and Terry Wilson (a rural GP from Southland) embarked on their retirement project: planting the first vines at Mt Maude in Wanaka’s Maungawera Valley. Their determination and optimism helped establish one of Central Otago’s first vineyards.

 

Maungawera, meaning “hot mountain,” is uniquely positioned to capture the first and last rays of sunlight. The 25-acre north-facing paddock, with its 45-degree slope, sits between 350-410 meters, making it one of the region’s highest vineyards at the time. This challenging terrain offers excellent air drainage, crucial for mitigating spring frosts. The glacial moraine soils, with their well-draining gravel and moisture-retaining clay bands, have allowed the vineyard to be dry-farmed for the past 20 years.

 

Initially, Terry and Dawn managed the vineyard while others handled the winemaking. In 2006, their daughter Sarah-Kate and her partner Dan, both seasoned winemakers from Hunter Valley, returned to build a winery in Wanaka. They expanded the business by offering winemaking services to other vineyards, gaining valuable insights into the diverse subregions of Central Otago and refining their Pinot Noir style.

 

Beyond the Mt Maude Vineyard, they have fostered relationships with other growers, notably Richard and Di Sommerville of Poison Creek Vineyard in Queensberry. Mohawk Hill, in the foothills of Pisa Range, provides Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. Recently, Maude acquired an additional 11 hectares in Queensberry, with plans for plantings in the near future.

Now, a third generation is involved. Sam Wilson, swapping beer for wine fermentation, brings fresh energy and a fearless approach to Maude. The future looks bright.

 

 

Celebrating 30 Years: A Taste of Mt Maude

 

To commemorate their 30th anniversary, I received a special celebration pack featuring current releases and a favourite vintage from the past.

 

Wine Reviews:

 

Maude Mt Maude Dry Riesling 2024, Central Otago

Gentle and pretty aromatics of white peach, lime, green apple, honey, crushed rocks and floral. Bone dry and delicate with a mineral lead, lengthy tension drives a salivating, refreshing finish. 95pts

 

Maude Mt Maude Vineyard Dry Riesling 2014, Central Otago

A whiff of petroleum overlying lime, lime peels, zesty spice, crushed rocks, marmalade and honeycomb. Bone dry, weighty and complex palate, enlivening acidity carries apple-skin-like phenolics and development details to a dry, taut finish. 93pts

 

Maude Mt Maude East Block Riesling 2024, Central Otago

Lush aromas of Gala apple, toffee apple, apricot, salted lime and elderflower cordial. Medium-sweet, composed and inviting. Well-balanced sherbety acidity and sweetness with a touch of saline drive a moreish finish. 93pts

 

Maude Mt Maude Vineyard East Block Riesling 2016, Central Otago

An elegant, complex bouquet of baked apple, pineapple, lime leaf, honey, flint and petrol. Medium-sweet to taste, concentrated and juicy fruit layering flint and petroleum developments, well-balanced sweet and sour lends an appetising closing. 94pts

 

Maude Mt Maude Chardonnay 2023, Central Otago

Gently full aromas of flint stone, nectarine, grapefruit, well-portioned clarified butter and spices. Medium-full bodied, bright, succulent fruit unfolds zesty spice, butterscotch and detailed spices, along with balanced creaminess and silky phenolics, towards an amiable, elegant finish. 94pts

 

Maude Mt Maude Pinot Noir 2023, Central Otago

Delicate aromas of red berry, red cherry, hibiscus, herb and sweet spice. Youthful and lifted red fruit core entwined with red floral and herb, displaying depth and silky tannins, composed and evocative. 94pts

 

Maude Mt Maude Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir 2014, Central Otago

It is quite rich in colour and shows a touch of bricking within the crimson. The bouquet shows signs of age, flaunting dried cherry, plum, cranberry, hibiscus, cinnamon, nutmeg, mushroom and forest floor. Enticing acidity provides vitality and flows with satin tannins to a savoury, refined closing. Excellently drinking, well-balanced complexity and finesse. 95pts

 

Maude Kids Block Pinot Noir 2023, Central Otago

Six rows of Dijon clones from Mt Maude Vineyard which were planted in 2000. Earthy-toned overall layering lifted red and black fruit, floral and spice whole bunch attributes, and savoury and gamey nuances flow along with tangy acidity and powdery tannins, lending a lengthy, enticing closing. 94pts

 

Maude East Meets West Pinot Noir 2023, Central Otago

Combining the East Block and West Block of Mt Maude Vineyard, clone 10/5, 100% whole bunch, 1 pegéage. Light ruby-red, perfume, raspberry, blackberry, black pepper, and cinnamon reflect on a light, dusty tannin frame, driving a linear, elegant, sustained finish. Refined, cellaring will be rewarded. 94pts

 

Visit Maude Wines:

Experience the warmth and passion of Maude Wines for yourself at 76 Golf Course Road, Wanaka. Visit their website https://www.maudewines.com/pages/the-tasting-room to make a booking.