Aurum Wines is truly a family run estate based in the Lowburn sub region of Central Otago. Founded by Joan Lawrence, ex archaeologist, and her husband, Tony Lawrence, an orthodontist, it was a major lifestyle change planting their first vines in 1997.
Meanwhile their son Brooke trained as a winemaker then worked vintages in Australia, New Zealand and France before meeting his wife Lucie, a 3rd generation Burgundian winemaker. In 2004 the Aurum family was extended when Brooke and Lucie returned to join the team and help make their first vintage.
Ten years later you can sometimes see Brooke and Lucie's daughters, Mathilde and Madeleine, helping in the vineyard.
Organics is the defining philosophy of their vineyard management and part of an overall goal to achieve continuous improvements in vineyard sustainability and to make better wines.
To taste some of Aurum's best wines is to experience how power and subtlety can be intertwined in wine. Their Estate Pinot Noir delivers a great value wine of balance and forward fruit, move onto the reserve Pinot Noirs, Mathilde and Madeleine, and you discover more complexity, power and subtlety. This is achieved through careful vineyard management undoubtedly some French winemaking influence.
The Madeleine Reserve Pinot Noir is processed by foot trampling 100% whole bunch grapes in an open fermenter with wild yeasts and aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. A wine well worthy of time in the cellar.
Other interesting wines to look out for is a stylish, lightly oaked Chardonnay, a traditionqal method sparkling wine, a white port and more recently an Amber Wine made from Pinot Gris, bone dry, rippled with minerality and tannins.
The team at Aurum obviously love to experiment and try new things, while still consistently delivering great wines.
Discover more: Aurum Wines
