Waitiri Creek Wines was established in 1993 by Alistair Ward, Paula Ramage and the Ward family.

With equal amounts of enthusiasm and naivety, the Shanagolden Block was purchased in Gibbston and planted with Chardonnay in 1994. The free-draining, northerly aspect of this Block was particularly suited to viticulture and the direct access off the highway meant that our future plans for a cellar door had now found a home on its lower reaches. In 1996, the Old Matagouri Block, 1.5km west of our original vines, was planted with Pinot Noir and a small parcel of Gewürztraminer.

Both blocks have their own microclimates and are among the earliest ripening in Gibbston. The soil profile is made up of 400 – 500mm of wind- blown glacial deposits on 4 – 5 metres of free draining alluvial schist. The vineyards are between 300 – 350 metres above sea level. With the growing degree days that Gibbston receives each year and the climatic challenges, our philosophy has always been to focus on delivering the best quality fruit, no matter what the weather Gods throw at us. Care of the vines is the responsibility of Jason Thomson, our viticulturalist. Jason has been trialling diverse pruning techniques on the different sites according to vine vigour. The results of these are helping us decide on which fruit will be earmarked for our different labels.

One of the keys to increased demand for our wines has been our consistency in quality. Waitiri Creek has been recognised at domestic and international competitions every year since 1999 and across the entire portfolio. Our expansion into Bannockburn and the purchase of additional fruit has now expanded our portfolio to include Rosé, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. Total production now exceeds 5000 cases and we are exporting to Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Fiji and the UK. Our wines are made under contract by Matt Connell at Olssen's.