Perfect Environment
The 27 hectares of vines bordering the Ruamahunga River in Gladstone, Wairarapa are on stony, free draining, alluvial soils, with a micro climate giving warm daily temperatures, cool nights and low rainfall; perfect conditions for producing distinctive, quality wines.
In line with the family’s legacy of international trade, 90 percent of the wine is exported around the world. Paddy believes in sustainability and best practice within a vineyard, developing an asset for generations to come.
Like the four P’s of marketing, we believe in the four P’s of Wine: Place, People, Passion, and Philosophy.
Our People
Paddy
Winemaker, Marketer, Owner
In-between making wine, traveling, marketing and family farm responsibilities, Paddy still enjoys getting back into the vineyard and winery when he’s able, and sitting down for the Dominion newspaper daily quiz with the team.
After 39 vintages, Paddy makes wine instinctively, and has the confidence to take risks where others hedge their bets. The rest of the team follow suite, and the wines made owe their distinctive flavour to the skill of the people within our place and a shared passion to create the best wine.
Briony Carnachan
Winemaker
Briony joined the winemaking team at Borthwick Estate for harvest 2018. After 22 vintages globally for some leading wineries, the life and opportunities the Wairarapa has to offer with children, family, the outdoors and passion for creating great wine has dispelled her initial thoughts that Auckland was the place to live.
Briony’s personality fits the role of the Left Hand Pinot Noir smart, logical, creative and precise winemaker. (Was a requirement of the job)
Lisa Hodson
Vines Manager
Lisa joined us in 2000, over this time she has grown into the mother guardian of our vineyard. She tells us how it is, and where the vines are at in any given season. Whether the vines are growing too fast or too slow, she keeps us in the know and the contractors in tow.
Lisa is current reigning champ of the annual Borthwick Vineyard pruning competition, this is no mean feat, given the standard of the competition.
Peter Graham
Machinery and Operations Manager
Peter started with us in 2022 after driving large tractors with Tullochs Contracting.