Grown on a unique Pioneer site in the beautiful sub-region of Bendigo; certified Demeter Biodynamic in 2011; with higher plant density and less yield per vine, allowing more intense flavor development and rewarded with a more mature, rich yet elegant expression of a unique parcel of land.
Quartz reef was founded in 1996. There are currently 30 hectares under cultivation. The key to this distinction lies in the maturing 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 textured dry style. All Quartz Reef wines benefit greatly from Rudi
Bauer’s Austrian heritage explores the many dimensions of the varieties. Quartz Reef winemaker and two-time recipient of New Zealand Winemaker of the Year.
Rudi worked at Mission Vineyard in Hawkes Bay until 1989, doing vintages in his off-seasons in California and Oregon. The Oregon experience gave Rudi a taste for Pinot Noir, and he moved to Central Otago to make the region’s first gold and trophy pinot noir at Rippon Vineyard in 1991.
He moved on to Canterbury, producing consistent medal-winners at Giesen for five years, before returning to Central Otago. Widely considered a far-sighted pioneer of the Central Otago wine region and one of the most charismatic producers in the country, Rudi was awarded Winemaker of the Year in 1999 and again in 2010. He was also honored to be the first New Zealand winemaker nominated for the prestigious “Der Feinschmecker Winemaker of the Year” in
2010.
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 goals are to not just eliminate the use of chemical sprays and fertilizers but to promote the health of the soils and the vines. In return, allowing them to make quality wine with minimal intervention, which has a true expression of season, site, and terroir. Quartz reef understands, as farmers that each season they deplete the soil of nutrients and minerals and it is necessary to replenish the land in return for the crops they harvest. To enable this they 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.
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-amphitheater, where all the plants and herbs are grown, and all the preps and teas are made and matured. Biodynamics is a method of farming that treats the vineyard as an entirety, as a living system.
