Black Estate is a family-owned business run by Penelope (Pen) and Nicholas (Nick) Naish, situated at the top of the Waipara Valley in North Canterbury, New Zealand.

The area the three unique organic and biodynamic vineyards they own and farm in is called Omihi. It has clay and limestone soils and a cool climate which Pen says means pinot is happy there. “It’s also a good place to live,” she says. “Lots of good food, old farms, wine and farming friends around.”

Pen looks after the marketing, sales and exports side of the business, and Nick grows and makes the wine (“… and fixes the water pump and chops wood, and finds my keys in the vineyard,” says Pen), but being family-owned means everyone gets a say on how to do things; even the staff.

The team is made up of Eirik, who’s from Norway. He runs the vineyard and plays great house music at staff parties. Then there’s Nao, a trained classical pianist from Japan who loves to surf – she assists Nicholas in the winery. Becca and Missy run the restaurant and cellar door and love wine, and chefs Grant and Yutak are in the kitchen. The most important bit, says Pen, is that they all like to have fun.

The Black Estate restaurant and cellar door is found at the top of the Home Vineyard – the original site the Naishs bought 10 years ago, and where they used to live. The views are lovely, the food is organic, and although you’re able to drop by for a tasting, the recommendation is to book in for lunch. Or, if you plan on visiting in summer, go on a Friday night and you can catch Nick and friends playing their vinyl collection. There’s accomodation on-site too if you’re planning a longer stay.

Can’t get over for a visit? You can buy Black Estate wines online or at select restaurants in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore the UK and Japan. Or you could join the wine club. Pen says it’s rad!

Black Estate

614 Omihi Road
Waipara Valley, New Zealand
+64 3 314 6085

blackestate.co.nz

Where do you pinot?

Around the table with good humans and music.

Your pinots are best for…

Opening with with good honest people. You never know when they are going to pop over.

Your pinots are best paired with…

It’s neck and neck between venison tataki and duck.

When no one is watching, you drink…

Champagne all the time in my dreams.

What do you listen to during vintage?

Microhouse. Nice deep tempo. Not too annoying.

When we come to visit you, which song should we listen to when we’re driving into your winery? Which one should we listen to when we’re driving away?

The Love Shack when you’re arriving, lol. Seriously though… Murizio Mo4.5A or Domina on the way there and Jens Uwe Beyer’s Deutz Air 2 on leaving.

The one song that makes you dance when the beat drops…