Gareth King - New Zealand (Felton Road)

Name: Gareth King

Currently: Viticulturist at Felton Road

Webseite: www.feltonroad.com

Questions:

Please, tell us about how you got into wine, the wine industry and how your career developed?

I grew up on an orchard and farm, studied horticulture and love growing things. The opportunity to manage the vineyards at Felton Road 14 years ago was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.

What is your philosophy to making wine and viticulture?

Making wines with a strong sense of place with minimal intervention is what drives us. We are certified biodynamic in our vineyards and very hands off in the winery. Increasing biodiversity with cover crops between the rows; animals like chickens, goats, sheep and cows; and vegetable gardens, makes the property feel like a more sustainable farm than a wine production unit.

Which cultivar is your favourite to work with and why?

Pinot Noir: It is simply a messenger and most accurately tells the story of the land and the climate it is grown in. It is so suited to our cool and dry climate in Central Otago that it presents few problems for us – like the perfect child! It normally ripens with ease but because the climate is not too warm it retains very good typicity and acidity.

How do you see the future of wine production and what are the challenges and the opportunities?

A big question! Consumers want a wine that they can connect and have a relationship with. The deeper that relationship is with the land and our place the better.

Where do you see the global wine market in 2025?

More global! Asia is definitely an exciting market that is growing rapidly. We are well poised to take advantage of that with our proximity but also the way our wines work so well with Asian cuisines having good vibrancy of flavour and a good freshness of acidity from our cool climate.

Gareth King

@ by Dominik Kozlik – www.sommelier-jobs.com - Zeitgeist Sommeliers.at