The view from the top of Rudi's vineyards at Quartz Reef in Central Otago, New Zealand.
Rudi Bauer Rudi Bauer is one of the more jovial and interesting winemakers that you will ever meet. Austrian-born, he came to New Zealand over two decades ago and has really helped to shape the early formation of the Central Otago wine landscape.
One of his earlier stints as a winemaker was making the first three vintages of Rippon, which, in retrospect, is quite monumental. He's made wines for several wineries, but in the back of his mind he's always had a dream of his own. In 1996 he founded Quartz Reef and has steadfastly poured his energies into his own vineyards.
The last few decades in Central Otago have been a whirlwind of new plantings, trials and errors, and thought exchange. But the dust seems to be settling with a few clear shining stars who picked incredible vineyard sites leading the way. The pieces are all falling into place now. As his own vineyards approach maturity, we are really starting to see what can happen at Quartz Reef. Rudi likens his plots of land to orchestra members; some blocks have revealed themselves to be high notes, others express themselves as bass notes; each block ferment has its role to play in the final blends.
Which vineyard blocks are his star plots? "Every year we select the ferment we like the best, but there has been no consistency." It's nice to keep an open mind about your property, and really listen to which plots sing in different years.
One of his earlier stints as a winemaker was making the first three vintages of Rippon, which, in retrospect, is quite monumental. He's made wines for several wineries, but in the back of his mind he's always had a dream of his own. In 1996 he founded Quartz Reef and has steadfastly poured his energies into his own vineyards.
The last few decades in Central Otago have been a whirlwind of new plantings, trials and errors, and thought exchange. But the dust seems to be settling with a few clear shining stars who picked incredible vineyard sites leading the way. The pieces are all falling into place now. As his own vineyards approach maturity, we are really starting to see what can happen at Quartz Reef. Rudi likens his plots of land to orchestra members; some blocks have revealed themselves to be high notes, others express themselves as bass notes; each block ferment has its role to play in the final blends.
Which vineyard blocks are his star plots? "Every year we select the ferment we like the best, but there has been no consistency." It's nice to keep an open mind about your property, and really listen to which plots sing in different years.
Rudi makes his preparations in a hut at the base of his vineyards. First let's talk farming. Influenced by James Millton, Rudi converted his vineyards to biodynamic farming in 2007. "It's not difficult to be biodynamic," Rudi notes, "What I never understood was how proud I'd be to walk among the vines..."
One of Rudi's friends, prepping some preparation... 
Helena Thomsen with some Preparation 500. 
Rudi talks moon cycles with Kenn Husted.
Above the vineyards you can see mountains on the other side of the valley that rise up 2000 meters.
The necessary plants surround the cottage. 
A nursery block at Quartz Reef. A small hand-tended nursery helps replace any damaged vines. Rudi works with pinot noir and chardonnay, and-- true to his Austrian roots-- has recently put in a small block of gruner veltliner (I can't wait to try it when it's ready!).
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