ROGUES GALLERY

How did you end up (held captive) in Central Otago?

I was aiming for a different location, but I missed (by a lot).

Best kept secret of Bannockburn?

I believe I heard someone mentioning the word GOLD.

Once convicted, what is your last meal?

They will never catch me so this is entirely hypothetical: Greek salad, zucchini fritters, tomato fritters, tzatziki accompanied by Riverblock Chardonnay; along with Papoutsakia (stuffed eggplants) accompanied by Jackson's Block Pinot Noir.

Crimes against wine?

Leaving wine in the bottle.

Why do you love wine?

It all started on a Greek Island in the sun (naturally) eating seafood accompanied by a refreshing Assyrtiko wine.

Fantasy hideout when on the run (other than Bannockburn)?

Milos island in Malakaland.

Stuff to steal in Central Otago?

Wine and Sunshine!

What made you love wine?

A romantic, unexpected meeting with an Alsatian Riesling in 2002. Blew my mind, and changed my life.

How did you end up (held captive) in Central Otago?

I blame it on the Riesling.

Best kept secret of Bannockburn?

The prolific medicinal herbs and wild flowers that surround us. Excitement abounds for an aspiring florist and herbalist.

Once convicted, what is your last meal?

Terra Sancta Rosé with a side of fresh West Coast whitebait fritters made with Terra Sancta eggs, new season asparagus, Terra Sancta Extra Virgin Olive Oil and salt - lots of salt, always.

Crimes against wine?

Adding ice to Terra Sancta Rosé.

Favourite Terra Sancta Wine?

Terra Sancta Aperitivo Botanical. It took over two years to create - it was touch and go as to whether it would ever actually come to fruition. It's also delicious. One sip is all it takes and the whole bottle is in danger.

Stuff to steal in Central Otago?

Wild thyme to dry and then add to cooking year-round. Do not touch our Baby Dolls - they can be vicious!

How did you end up (held captive) in Central Otago?

Following the words, of a great wine sage, "find the best vineyard you can because you can't out perform your vineyard", led to the far end of Felton Road, Bannockburn..

What made you love wine?

Back in the heady days of the 1990s in Manhattan, the law firm I was working for inexplicably and serendipitously gave me control of the wine buying budget which basically opened up an entire world of ridiculous wine.

Once convicted, what is your last meal?

A black truffle cheese burger from Bix in San Francisco (now sadly closed down - I wasn't visiting enough - RIP Bix), washed down with a bottle of Terra Sancta Estate Jackson's Block 2016. Perfection.

Favourite Terra Sancta Wine?

Lola's Block Pinot Gris - named after my mother Lola. Pinot Gris was her favourite varietal, and the first wine we loved sharing together. She also introduced me to Pinot Noir - with a bottle of Calera Reed Pinot Noir at Union Square Cafe in 1993. She can be blamed for a lot!

Crimes against wine?

Adding a laundry list of additives during the winemaking process. Winemakers who talk the vineyard, and add enzyme to manage the colour of their Pinot Noir, for example.

Fantasy hideout when on the run (other than Bannockburn)?

Tribeca, NYC.

Best kept secret of Bannockburn?

What a great pleasure it is to have Robin Dicey as our next door neighbour...we love seeing Robin coming down the drive and wondering what tidings he shall bring...

How did you end up (held captive) in Central Otago?

My family and I traveled from Chile looking for new opportunities for my children, and Central Otago gave us that and more. A great community, stunning scenery, and an incredible job to continue developing my career—you couldn't ask for more.

Best kept secret of Bannockburn?

The landscape of the Kawarau River, seen from the edge of our vineyard (Terra).

Once convicted, what is your last meal?

A slow-roasted Picanha (Punta de ganso in Chile) over charcoal. Perfectly cooked, tender, juicy, and smoky, paired with a glass of Terra Sancta Jackson's Block 2022, a delight.

Crimes against wine?

Giving in to my desires. Drinking wines that are too young and not letting them mature enough.

What made you love wine?

This is a tough one, and there are so many things. I love winemaking, and I love how grapes are transformed into complex products, with different layers and variations. It's not just any product; it highlights the place it comes from and values everyone involved in its creation.

Fantasy hideout when on the run (other than Bannockburn)?

Southern Chile, its forests and lakes. Valdivia and its rainforest are breathtaking.

Stuff to steal in Central Otago?

A sunny autumn day when the leaves have changed color and the grapes are in the winery.

How did you end up (held captive) in Central Otago?

After spending 8 years drowning in the rain that came from every direction in Scotland, Central Otago became my home in 2010.

Best kept secret of Bannockburn?

There is a beautiful stone cottage Cellar Door near the end of Felton Road...

Once convicted, what is your last meal?

Grilled West Coast Crayfish.... With Terra Sancta Riverblock Chardonnay of course.

Crimes against wine?

People who claim to be ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) - they clearly haven't tried a good one!

What made you love wine?

1997, a visit to Blackridge, Gibbston Valley and Chard Farm and tasting Riesling and Pinot Noir ignited my taste buds and I have been infatuated with Central Otago Wines since.

Fantasy hideout when on the run (other than Bannockburn)?

Haast, holed up with a few bottles of Terra Sancta Wines.

Favourite Terra Sancta Wine?

Terra Sancta is lucky to have such an amazing Winemaker. My favourite wine depends on the time of day, season and who I am with. At the moment it is the Terra Sancta Chardonnay 2022, a beautifully made Central Otago Chardonnay to change all those ABC people's minds. In winter definitely the Jacksons Block Pinot, a beautiful example of a Bannockburn Pinot Noir.

Stuff to steal in Bannockburn?

The Bannockburn Fingerboard sign. Currently positioned in the grounds of the Bannockburn Hotel (they stole it first).

How did you end up (held captive) in Central Otago?

After seven seasons in Marlborough I happily followed my partner to Wanaka. We had visited Central Otago the previous year, so when she told me she got a job offer down here I was pretty excited about the new beginning in front of me. And I absolutely don’t regret it.

Best kept secret in Bannockburn?

Terra Sancta Aperitivo, mystical and delicious!!

Once convicted, what is your last meal?

True Chilean charcoal “asado” (BBQ) with a big beef steak, chorizo and traditional empanadas accompanied by a SlapJack Terra Sancta Pinot Noir, it’s a perfect match, is too much to ask?

Crimes against wine?

Make the wine Industry look more and more like a big factory, less art more recipes

What made you love wine?

“The Connection” Wine connects your sensorial perception having an experience with every bottle of wine that you open, that always blows my mind!!. Also wine connects family, friends, colleagues and people from all over the globe in an atmosphere of good vibes and energy

Fantasy hideout when on the run (other than Bannockburn)?

Bottle beach on Koh Phangan Thailand, paradise on Earth

Favourite Terra Sancta wine?

There is a Terra Sancta wine for any occasion but i’m a really huge fan of Slapjack Terra Sancta Pinot Noir, it’s a wine with great personality and a great one to drink in front of the fire during a cold winter in Central Otago

Stuff to steal in Central Otago?

Remarkable Wines, tasty fruit, landscape and amazing life.

As free as free can be, the Ladies are valued members of the Terra Sancta team. Brought on board to spread their good soil enriching qualities throughout the Terra Sancta Estate, they make a valuable contribution to our soil health programme. And when they feel like a good lay, they return to their luxury accomodation on wheels, their caravan, to lay their eggs - a delicious by-product of their work in the vineyard. These ladies rarely stop working and seem to love their lines of business being named employees of the year for three straight years. If you ever find an egg included with your wine package, you now know why - their enthusiasm for their work knows no bounds!

Terra Sancta's Baby Dolls are infamous. Our original flock of 28 were born at Terra Sancta in the summer of 2020, keeping us both entertained and busy over that summer as we learnt about what makes them tick. With Roast, Mint and Jelly all orphaned in their infancy, these three were hand reared, being taken home to various human team members' abodes in the weekend. The high degree of human interaction early on, resulted in a complete lack of respect for human commands, rules and boundaries - which in turn resulted in constant "break outs' and general shennanigans all over Terra Sancta and up and down Felton Road. Brought in primarily for their weeding and mowing capabilities, they have also proved capable of "bud rubbing" and shoot thinning. Just don't let them near a ripe grape or an olive tree - who knew short sheep can learn to climb! Their side hustle is soil health because they are natural composting machines eating, depleting and repeating whereever their short wooly legs will take them. We now eagerly await the second generation ... from what we have observed in May 2025, the flock will definitely be increasing in summer 2025!