Son of Central Otago viticulture pioneers Rolfe and Lois Mills, Nick was born around the same time as his parents' first plantings at Rippon and is part of the fourth generation on the 100-year-old family farm. Whilst he grew up in the vines, Nick was distracted by studies in philosophy, competitive skiing, and the general mountain environment before fully directing his focus to winegrowing in Burgundy.
He completed the BP-REA in Viticulture and Oenology (CFPPA de Beaune), and undertook a course in biodynamic winegrowing with the GJPV (Young Winegrowers Association of Burgundy) and worked in several of the region's most esteemed domaines.
He returned to Rippon in 2002 to take over his late father's role and now finds himself in the happy position of working with his family, together with mature, own-rooted vines, a truly great vineyard team and a very special piece of land.