Recent Accolades: 

Neal Martin with eRobertParker.com, states "James Millton continues as one of New Zealand s most quality conscientious winemakers and his biodynamically produced wines are individual and full of character" his recent reviews of our wines. September 2009.

 

 

Jamie Goode - Visiting New Zealand's wine regions - Part 6: Millton Vineyards, New Zealand's biodynamic pioneer
WineAnorak.com    September 2009

Millton Opou Vineyard Chardonnay 2007
Lovely complex, mealy and minerally nose. Focused with some lemon pith notes and also a bit of fig. The palate has great concentration and freshness with lovely presence. Mouthfilling with nice acidity and hints of vanilla and spice. A lovely expressive wine. 92/100

Millton Clos Ste Anne Chardonnay Naboth’s Vineyard 2007
Toasty, aromatic nose with some fresh citrus and grapefruit notes, as well as richer more tropical fruitiness. The palate is dense, mineralic and concentrated with lovely focus and balance. Alive. 94/100

Millton Chenin Blanc Te Arai Vineyard 2007
Deep yellow colour. Wonderful nose with intense herby, citrus, apricot and spice notes, together with honey and wax. The palate is intense with a lovely savoury dimension. Waxy, spicy and apricotty with some minerals. A really distinctive wine. 93/100

Millton Clos Ste Anne The Crucible Syrah 2007
I love this wine. It has a really fresh peppery nose with lovely vivid red berry fruit. Quite northern Rhône like. Lovely freshness and focus on the palate with dark pepper, dark cherry and raspberry notes, as well as some spiciness that may be from a bit of new oak. Fantastic effort. 93/100

For more reviews follow the link above.

 

 

 “James Millton, he’s a pioneer, mentor, appreciator, mate and midwife to more than 80,000 vines ….and most of all, he loves life. He has been called a guru and even a patron saint, and is heralded as a world leader in Biodynamic wine production. He and Annie established The Millton Vineyard, New Zealand’s first certified organic vineyard – and now one of the oldest Biodynamic estates in the world – on the principles of Rudolf Steiner 25 vintages ago. And they practice what they preach.” Gisborne Herald November 2008

 

 Inclusion in 1001 Wines You Must Try Before You Die.
If you were to reflect on your most memorable wine moment, it probably takes you back to a sensory experience that stands above all others in your memory. These treasured occasions, with wine the elixir, where a warm glow surrounds that perfect confluence of your favourite person, place, maybe a shared meal, where the experience was enhanced by the wine.

In the recently released book '1001 Wines You Must Try Before You die'. General Editor, Neil Beckett in his introduction discusses the subjective nature of wine. How amongst other things, your enthusiasm, appetite, receptiveness along with environmental influences, such as atmospheric pressure, time of day, the glass etc. all work together to ensure "..that the same wine will never taste exactly the same twice." He states "For some, it's (wine's) fleeting nature reduces it's value. For others of us, it's immediacy is its magic."
"The North Star may be reassuring, reminding us of where we are; but a shooting star is far more spellbinding, reminding us of where we are going. It may be there only briefly, but it may live a lifetime in the memory. It may be transient but may be transcendental too."

1001 WInes You Must Try Before You Die. Published by Penguin.
ISBN: 978 0 1430 1020 3

 The inclusion of Te Arai Chenin Blanc in '1001 Wines You Must Try Before You die', speaks to the world-wide reputation this wine holds. Our 2004 Te Arai Vineyard Chenin Blanc definitely has the makings of a transcendental experience.  Neil Martin for The Wine Advocate in December last year rated it 91 points “…the animated 2004 Te Arai Vineyard with a complex nose of wet wool, greengage and sweet pea, the palate vibrant with clementine and mango with great nervosite on the finish.” 

2007 Te Arai Chenin Blanc - Gold Medal - Australia New Zealand Organic Wine Show
At the Australia New Zealand Organic Wine Show in July 2008
This show is held in Sydney, part of the huge Organic Expo that took place July 25-27th 2008 at the Sydney Convention Centre, only four golds were awarded to the field of 96 wine entries. Straw gold hues radiate with rich bright luminosity displaying energy and light. An ethereal balancing act, showing ripe apple tracking towards quince, acacia honey and waxy pears, the wine evolving to a myriad of layers as it matures. Drink 2008 - 2020. 

2008
Jamie Goode, a London-based writer who is wine columnist with the UK newspaper, The Sunday Express, visited TMV late 2007. View his updated wine blog to hear his perceptions on seeing bio-dynamic techniques in action, our compost heap, Gisborne sunrises, and our wines.
"...I’d count this among one of New Zealand’s top estates. What is remarkable is the sheer diversity of varieties that Millton seem to be able to get to work here, ranging from Syrah, to Riesling, to Pinot Noir, to Chenin Blanc." For interesting footage of a biodynamic vineyard in action view Jamie Goode's Wine Blog  

 "Robert Parker" Reviews
"...They are one of Gisborne’s benchmark wineries who have no doubt inspired many in the region to focus upon quality.... It was an impressive line-up of beautifully crafted wines." Reviewed by Neil Martin December 2007. For a brief summary of the wines that scored 89+ click here. For the full review click the following link. Robert Parker 'The Wine Advocate' April 2008

Try Millton and you shall not be disappointed, says Robert Parker.... rating The Millton Vineyard as a 'Four Star - Excellent producer’ in Robert Parker's the 2008 'Wine Buyers Guide 7th Edition'. It is stated "The important thing for readers to remember is that growers/producers who received either  a four or five star rating are producers worth searching out; I suspect few consumers will ever be disappointed with one of their wines."

2007- The National Business Review - awards The Millton Vineyard as New Zealand's most exciting wine company

"Millton Vineyards of Gisborne and Blenheim's Astrolabe Wines have shared top rating as the wine industry's most exciting companies. Both gained high praise in a survey conducted by business consultancy New River  for excellent product quality, innovation and marketing. Astrolabe and Millton rated 77.6 for excitement, ahead of Marlborough's Fromm Winery and innovative Australian polyethelene tank manufacturer Flex Tank". - Graeme Kennedy