Amisfield Wine Company Opens New Facility

PRESS RELEASE: 7 December 2006

Amisfield Wine Company Officially Opens State-Of-The-Art Facility

Amisfield Wine Company’s state-of-the-art wine production facility at its Lowburn vineyard in Central Otago will be officially opened on December 12 marking the launch of one of the wine industry’s most innovative and cutting edge facilities.

The facility has been operational for six months and processed over 400 tonnes of top quality grapes this season which was a record vintage for the winery.
Three hundred tonnes of Pinot Noir and 100 tonnes of aromatic wines including Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling varieties were produced.

The distinctive rustic building designed by winery architect Charlie Nott of Christchurch uses high-tech technology to achieve the winery’s focus on sustainability.

Amisfield Winemaker Jeff Sinnott says the company’s ‘grown not made’ philosophy is reflected throughout the winery where there is a hands-off approach.’

“The impact of the winemaker needs to be minimal to get the best results. The production facility has allowed us to follow our sustainable approach. In fact it did everything and then some. We are very excited about the first vintage produced here.”

A New Zealand first custom built recycled waste plant has been installed in association with the new production facility which is creating widespread interest.

“In line with our ongoing philosophy of environmental sustainability we decided to internalise all the waste stream management. While the technology is not new the application certainly is quite different to what has been achieved in the past.”

The waste from the winery is channelled through aquatic plants in a wetland area which has been established as part of the treatment system. The water is used to irrigate the vineyard and the solid waste is composted and added back to the soil to provide essential nutrients.

Amisfield general manager Fleur Caulton says the opening of the production facility on December 12 is a milestone for the company.

“We are delighted with the purpose built facility which is achieving everything we had hoped it would. It is a superbly designed and constructed building which has enhanced the vineyard and provided Amisfield with an even stronger presence in Central Otago.”

The opening will be attended by key wine industry and trade representatives, media and Amisfield staff and will be followed by a ‘long lunch’ at the vineyard.

The Amisfield production facility was project managed by Peter Soundy of Peak Projects International. Apollo Projects of Christchurch were the construction project managers and a number of Central Otago subcontractors assisted on the project.

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