Drummond Farm

About

For a 1.93 hectare vineyard, Drummond Farm sure knows how to make the most of what they’ve got. With Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc, along with a recent addition of Gamay Noir, Lagrein and St Laurent, this little vineyard is producing some of New Zealand’s most unique and exciting varieties. 

Before deciding to study winemaking, Alex, Drummond Farms winemaker, had never bought a single bottle of wine and didn’t particularly enjoy the taste either. Pinot Noir was warm and an overly alcoholic drink that wasn’t as cool as beer. It wasn’t until his second year at Lincoln University that he and wine became friends, what they call “a beautiful tear-inducing moment (cue harp and violin)”. Alex graduated in 2012 with a degree in Oenology (winemaking) and Viticulture. With his new-found love, he moved to Central Otago to learn as much as he could about Pinot Noir. The beauty of Central Otago and unrivalled wine quality made it very hard to leave in 2015 for a vintage in Oregon, USA. Returning home, Alex bought a bottle of 2009 Cabbage Tree Pinot Noir. With one sip he knew wine from Martinborough was the style of Pinot Noir he wanted to make. With the help and support of the people around him, he was able to start making his own wine under the label Drummond Farm. The first vintage was released in November 2018 – a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They have since made a Pinot Gris, Rosé and Sauvignon Blanc. 

“I’ve been extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to develop Drummond Farm into a reality and we are excited to see what the future holds.” – Alex.