Quartz Reef


“My early impression of Central Otago, which goes back to seeing Bendigo Station in its striking beauty; was that whoever lives in Central Otago is “Blessed by the Gods”. It was the most extraordinary sensation when I was walking across the naked paddock to visualise that one day this “eager to work” land, with the affinity to John, Heather and myself, can be transformed into a breathtaking vineyard."

Rudi Bauer Winemaker, Quartz Reef

 

Quartz Reef was founded in 1996 by partners Rudi Bauer, Trevor Scott and John Perriam.

Quartz Reef vinifies wines of outstanding flavour and intensity, benefitting from Rudi Bauer’s Austrian heritage. With 30 hectares under cultivation, vines mature on sun drenched slopes situated at Quartz Reef’s Bendigo Estate vineyard. Under Rudi’s custodianship, Pinot Noir becomes the essence of Central Otago whilst Pinot Gris takes on a rich and textured dry style. The vineyard was certified Demeter Biodynamic in 2011.

Vines are planted at higher density, with less yield per vine, allowing intense flavour development. Customers are rewarded with a more mature, rich yet elegant expression of a unique parcel of land.

The farming philosophy at Quartz Reef is based on a method of organic farming originally developed by Rudolf Steiner, called Biodynamics.  Biodynamic viticulture is the maintenance and enrichment of soil and vine health and the recognition of the rhythms of the cosmos and their influence on weather, soil, plant and animal life.

The goal is to not just eliminate the use of chemical sprays and fertilisers but to promote the health of the soils and the vines.  In return, this allows the team to make quality wine with minimal intervention, which has a true expression of season, site and terroir. Each season's vineyard activity depletes the soil of nutrients and minerals; it is necessary to replenish the land in return of the crops we harvest.  To enable this the team make and apply compost, herbal teas and liquid manures to the vines and soils.  Also a major role is the use of a series of compost preparations based on mineral, plant and animal substances.

Biodynamics is a method of farming that treats the vineyard as an entirety, as a living system. All biodynamic preparations and activities are carried out at "The Nerve Centre", located on the lower vineyard block.  This is the heart of the farm, a mini amphitheatre, where all the plants and herbs are grown, and all the preps and teas are made and matured.