JOHNER ESTATE

Johner Estate is a small family owned winery / vineyard with 14 hectares under vine planted in classical varieties.The vineyard and winery follows the course of the Ruamahanga River and is set in an extremely beautiful and idyllic setting, free draining alluvial soils and an ideal climate is the beginning of the recipe that is our wine.All the wines are held very close to the heart and every process is overseen by the people at the winery & vineyard so we know about every single part of the journey of our wines. The focus of the wines character is not all about upfront fruit, we just love complexity. Wines that reveal new complex and interesting flavours whilst drinking, wines that show great depth and a lingering finish, elegant wines with personality which is essential to continue enjoying the wine.To produce high quality distinctive wine you need some principles. We believe in the circle of life and in open soil viticulture. So we look after our environment and take care of the soil and every plant at our vineyard. Therefore all work in the vineyard and the picking is done by hand. It sounds old fashioned but we believe it is the gentlest way to take care of the essential elements that produce the wines we love. This is re-affirmed by the reviews and accolades we have received for our wines by many writers and judges here in New Zealand and overseas.

Raphael Burki - Karl Johner

With many years of wine-making experience, the passion to build up wineries and make high quality Pinot Noir wines finally brought owner Karl Heinz Johner to New Zealand. Winemaker Raphael Burki has been working together with Karl Johner since 2010. Raphael is also the winemaker for a Winery in Switzerland.