About The Winery
In Central Otago, near the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand, on the Eastern side of Austalasia's largest mountain range, on the shores of Lake Wanaka lies Rippon. The Rippon vineyard site has been in the Mills family for four generations. Third generation Rolfe Mills was a submarine lieutenant in the Second World War and while on duty spent time off the Atlantic coast of Portugal, where the schist slopes of the Douro valley reminded him of home and sparked the first beginnings of an idea.
In 1975, Rolfe and his wife Lois began planting experimental vines on their family farmland and in 1982 began the commercial planting of the 15ha (approximately 37 acres) that today comprise Rippon. Biodynamic farming, wild ferments, no irrigation and some of Central Otago's oldest vines on their own roots all help to produce fruit and wines which are true to their place. Fourth generation Nick Mills, winemaker since 2003, carries on his parents' legacy as pioneers of the Central Otago wine industry.
