Haere Ra 2023: Gisborne, Tairawhiti
Thirty-nine years after establishing The Millton Vineyards near Manutuke, Annie Millton reflects on the opportunities and challenges in Tairāwhiti, the first wine region in the world to see the sunrise each day.
Timothy Ovenden, age 31, is an assistant winemaker at Milton's Vineyards & Winery in Gisborne.
How long have you here?
Four and a half years
What brought you to Gisborne?
My wife and I were both born and raised on the East Coast, this place is a part of who we are, the culture and the climate were how we wanted to raise our kids.
Where have you travelled in wine to get here?
My three beautiful daughters have taken priority over travel so far, but I am looking toward Burgundy or Oregon in future.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The chance to create amazing wines from beautifully nurtured biodynamic fruit. Working with inspiring and creative people. Also the food during vintage is incredible.
What do you enjoy most about Gisborne?
The beaches here are stunning, and enjoying them with great food, and wine, amazing whanau and friends is what life is all about
When you’re not making wine or growing grapes?
Raising my girls, playing trumpet in a local funk band and cooking for my wife and friends.
It sucks when….
The beautiful friends you work with over vintage depart for greener pastures, their mothers cooking or northern vintages. It sucks but I know I’ll see them again soon.
Your favourite wine?
I’m not sure if I have a favourite wine yet, but Millton’s Libiamo is fantastic, the food/wine combinations with natural wines are a revelation.
Which wine region excites you most right now?
Gisborne, I know it’s cliché and a bit bias, but the potential here for exploring new varietals, philosophy, and techniques is exciting.
Future aspirations?
I’m loving what I’m doing, any-thing beyond this is a bonus.
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