Our Place

Planted primarily with the Abel Clone, Riverblock Pinot Noir provides the aromatics, berry flavours and dried herbal characters that marry perfectly with the structure and refinement of Sarah’s Block Pinot Noir to produce our flagship Terra Sancta Estate Rosé.

The spectacular site was developed in 2001 by American Pinot Noir pioneer Gary Andrus who believed the attributes of the site would result in great Pinot Noir. Gary was right! All day sunshine, low dense planting and soils of schist and limestone result in Pinot Noir as beautiful as the site.

Riverblock is home to a small block of Chardonnay. Planted with three premium clones, it sits on soils of alluvial schist and very rare for Central Otago - a seam of limestone. Riverblock produces mineral driven, elegant, cool climate Chardonnay.

Our largest block, it is one of our favourites due to its 1995 planted Pinot Noir that is a major contributor to our Terra Sancta Estate Rosé and when conditions dictate, our Special Release Rosé.

Terra Sancta is home to one of the biggest olive groves in Central Otago based outside the winery and Winery Hill - and on the new Central Otago cycle trail.

At Terra Sancta we believe that great wine begins at ground level. We create out own compost from our wine making by-product in order to return more good schist to Terra Sancta creating a virtuous cycle and healthy ecosystem.

Home to the two Harry Hudinis of the animal world- the Terra Sancta Goats, we've spent an irrational amount of time and money on trying to keep the troublesome twosome on the inside. Despite the obvious attributes of Goat Gully this is a classic case of the grass always being green on the other side!

Dolcetto and Barbera vines are densely planted low to the ground on a steep slope to capture the afternoon heat. Dolcetto contributes tannin and structure, while the Barbera contributes black cherry, anise and generosity to The Italian.

Home to tiny blocks of Pinot Gris, Muscat and 1991 planted Gewürztraminer. Aromatic and complex, when the stars align these varietals, along with Miro’s Block Riesling are blended to create Mysterious White.

A single clone of Pinot Noir (777) was planted in 1991 on the block that borders Felton Road. Named for an 1860’s raconteur who claimed the land, the old vines of Jackson’s Block with original roots deep in lakebed loam atop schist gravels deliver a pure expression of classic Bannockburn power, elegance and beauty.

Home to tiny blocks of Pinot Gris, Muscat and 1991 planted Gewürztraminer. Aromatic and complex, when the stars align these varietals, along with Miro’s Block Riesling are blended to create Mysterious White.

A single clone of Pinot Noir (777) was planted in 1991 on the block that borders Felton Road. Named for an 1860’s raconteur who claimed the land, the old vines of Jackson’s Block with original roots deep in lakebed loam atop schist gravels deliver a pure expression of classic Bannockburn power, elegance and beauty.

Home to tiny blocks of Pinot Gris, Muscat and 1991 planted Gewürztraminer. Aromatic and complex, when the stars align these varietals, along with Miro’s Block Riesling are blended to create Mysterious White.

Miro’s Block has 7 rows of vines. It is unique for its terraces cut into the east side of a steep old creek bed wall in the center of the Estate. Each terrace was cut by hand into the schist and fine textured alluvium. These Riesling vines were planted ungrafted in 1995.

The first vines planted in Bannockburn, Slapjack is a north facing slope of mountain clay over schist gravels. On original roots, the 1991 planted vines are a field mix of 13 different clones. Organically farmed, it produces wines of exceptional concentration and complexity.

The richest soils on Sancta are home to plantings of wormwood, licorice, kumquat, chinotto, frantoio olive trees, pine nut trees, kowhai, kanuka, and a variety of herbs. Providing biodiversity to the vineyard, and ingredients to the Aperitivo Botanical.

Our largest block, it is one of our favourites due to its 1995 planted Pinot Noir that is a major contributor to our Terra Sancta Estate Rosé and when conditions dictate, our Special Release Rosé.

A favored Burgundy varietal, this small planting of Gamay is a secret ingredient in the Estate Pinot Noir. As the vines age, a small production of Gamay is on the card. We have a few unreleased early bottles at the winery. It’s delicious!

A grape native to the Italian alps, at Terra Sancta Lagrien has kept its hallmarks of cocoa, eastern spices, and velvet tannins, but added licorice, currants and vanilla to the flavours. The key varietal in The Italian, our blend of Italian alpine red varietals grown at Terra Sancta.

Lola’s Block is a rare example of prime Felton Road soils being used for the Gris version of the Pinot family. Schist gravels form the base of the soil profile, with clay and quartz giving the fruit great concentration, distinctive citrus lines and incredible minerality.

These holy waters are home to Chester the duck and his extended family. The pond is also used to store water which is then used to irrigate the Sancta vineyard. Everyone wins. Particularly Chester.

A little slice of Northern Italy in Bannockburn. Based on common attributes of site and climate, this block planted in 2013 is home to our planting of Dolcetto which contributes to our Special Release cuvee made from our Italian varietals.

A single clone of Pinot Noir (777) was planted in 1991 on the block that borders Felton Road. Named for an 1860’s raconteur who claimed the land, the old vines of Jackson’s Block with original roots deep in lakebed loam atop schist gravels deliver a pure expression of classic Bannockburn power, elegance and beauty.

Planted by Terra Sancta in 2013, it is located on Cornish Point road and is comprised of just over 6 hectares of Pinot Noir grapes. North facing with all day sun, these young vines produce bright, energetic Pinot Noir, perfect for Rosé.

Our highest altitude vineyard, it is planted with 8 hectares of Pinot Noir all on their own rootstock. Its northern aspect, all day sun, steep slopes altitude and sandy soils, produces Pinot Noir of great purity and flavour.