Moutere Magic: Evolving legacy at Neudorf

Founded in 1978 by Tim and Judy Finn, Neudorf Vineyards has long helped define what great Nelson wine looks like, gaining particular attention for its world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. These days, a new generation is carrying the torch forward, gently evolving the estate without losing sight of the foundations Neudorf was built on: authenticity, and deep respect for people and place.

Tim and Judy started out as a research scientist and budding journalist respectively, but wine soon called. Working in the Waikato as an animal behaviouralist for Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, in the burgeoning field of dairy, Tim was increasingly interested in research being carried out in soil science and wine at the nearby Te Kauwhata Viticultural Research Station, and managed to convince Judy that wine might be their future.

Moving to Nelson in 1976, their search led them to the Moutere Hills, an area characterised by plenty of sunshine and deep clay gravel soils, where they bought an ex-commune called 'Farmagusta'. Tim milled a couple of big macrocarpa trees to create a winery from a 120-year-old stable on the property, built a grafting machine and they got planting. Recognising the potential of the local terroir, they planted a spread of varieties to determine which would thrive best. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Pinot Gris emerged as the consistent performers, and these remain the backbone of Neudorf today.

The early days were marked by challenges, Judy says. "Four mortgages and three jobs each. The old house had electricity in two rooms, an outside long drop, an inefficient wood stove and no hot water." There was also the need to understand the nuances of viticulture in an uncharted region, the Seifrieds being their only fellow vignerons for quite some time. The Finns' dedication paid off, and by the early 1990s, Neudorf was making its mark with wines of impressive quality and character.

In 2016, Rosie Finn, Tim and Judy's daughter, returned to Neudorf having lived in London after graduating from her design and photography studies. "Honestly, what brough me back was Brexit," she laughs. "I was living a great life in London, right in the thick of the wine world, but couldn't extend my visa. The plan was to come home for a summer, maybe head to Auckland after that... But once I was back in the business, I was hooked." Her preparation? "Minimal - just a one-way ticket from London to Upper Moutere." Eight years on, she and Winemaker and General Manager Todd Stevens have firmly taken the reins of Neudorf, allowing Tim and Judy to step back into roles as sounding boards and strategic oversight, giving them more time in their gardens and kitchen.

Todd, who moved to Neudorf in 2012, after seven years in Central Otago at Quartz Reef and Felton Road, brings a wealth of experience and a hands-off winemaking approach to the cellar. "I've been lucky to learn from Rudi [Bauer], Blair [Walter], and Tim - it's given me a solid foundation in what Neudorf is about," he says. "But time in the seat matters, too. You start to read the sites and the seasons more intuitively."

Rosie and Todd have become a formidable duo. "Hopefully I bring a bit of energy and a fresh set of eyes," Rosie says. "I'm really proud of what Tim and Jude built, so I try to respect that legacy. I probably bring some extra sass, and I'm handy on the backend of the website or when the phones go down - the token millennial." Todd is like "an overachieving, intelligent big brother I'm always trying to keep up with," she says. "He's humble, strategic, brilliant with business, and has a cunningly great sense of humour. He's obviously a great winemaker and a vital part of the fabric here, and I'm so grateful Tim and Jude offered him the job."

Todd Stevens and Rosie Finn

Todd is quick to credit Rosie's influence. "She has an ease in the way she connects with people and the market... she reads the room well. As a result, she's a fantastic brand ambassador - she understands the intrinsic drivers of Neudorf. Her youthful approach has kept us current too, which is very important. She's had an amazing impact on the brand since she has come into the business."

Together, they've made key structural decisions, including a significant reshaping of the wine range. "That was one of the big early moves Todd and I made," Rosie says. "I'm really proud of how it's shaped up. It gives clarity, honours our single vineyards, and reflects each wine's nuance. It feels settled. Hopefully it holds for the long haul."

Neudorf’s winemaking philosophy remains one of minimal intervention, but with a pragmatic mindset. “We farm organically, use wild ferments, natural malo if it happens, and we don’t fine,” says Todd. “But we’ll lend a hand when the season calls for it. The amphorae have been a great addition, and we’ll expand that. We’re always up for thoughtful experimentation.”

Sustainability has long been at the heart of Neudorf’s approach. “We committed fully to organics in 2014 and were certified across all estate vineyards by 2016,” says Todd. “Our viticulturist, Stefan Brockley – a staunch organic grower – is now shifting focus toward regenerative practices like cover cropping, biochar, composting, and low/no-till. We’re working with the soil, not against it.”

Carbon mapping is another area of focus. “We started measuring in 2019 with Ekos, then transitioned to the IWCA (International Wineries for Climate Action) tool in-house. It’s not audited, so we don’t make carbon claims, but it informs decisions, like moving to lightweight bottles and investing in solar. We’re also researching drone spraying – still early days there.”

The 20 hectares of vineyards are split across Home Block and Rosie’s Block. “Rosie’s sits higher (80m versus 50m) and has sandier loam soils, while Home Block has more clay,” explains Todd. “Winemaking is consistent across both, so the site speaks. Home Block tends to have a beautiful complex power to it; Rosie’s has an elegant balletic quality.”

Rosie adds, “There’s a quiet power that clay gives, and we see that in both sites.” Dry farming is reserved for older vines; newer blocks are irrigated as needed. Some of Neudorf’s original 1978 Chardonnay vines are among the oldest in the South Island, lending gravitas and complexity to the wines.

Chardonnay makes up about 45% of the vineyard area, Pinot Noir 30%, with the remainder in aromatic whites. Albariño, a relatively new addition, is quickly becoming a fan (and winemaker) favourite. “We have 1.25ha of Albariño… it’s still small, but demand’s growing, and we’d like to plant more,” Todd says. Any other varieties planned? “Nothing official yet, though the team is quietly hunting for the ‘next red’ that suits our soils and climate.”

Rosie reflects on her parents’ original vision: “From the start, Dad was drawn to the idea of dry farming, and clay made that possible. He was an early believer in climate change, so soil resilience mattered. Tim and Jude weren’t from Nelson originally; they just fell for the soils and never left.”

More than four decades in, Neudorf remains one of New Zealand’s benchmark producers, happily evolving with the next generation whose feet are firmly grounded in the soil that started it all.