D3: New Zealand: Background: Waitaki Valley with Jim Jerram from Ostler
Jim Jerram is the owner of Ostler in the wine region Waitaki Valley in North Otago, New Zealand. In 1998, Jim partnered up with brother-in-law and winemaker Jeff Sinnott, to find a suitable site in lower Waitaki at a time when there was no commercial winegrowing in the region.
They have four vineyards along a 25km stretch and being located nearer to the coast, the region has a more maritime influence vs Central Otago. The soil is limestone vs schist (Central). We talk about growing grapes in a marginal wine region and how vines thrive in cooler climates.
They model themselves on Burgundy wine styles, planting mainly Pinot Noir (but also Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer) and have a wine they call Clos Ostler. Their Caroline Pinot Noir has won gold at the IWC.
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D3: New Zealand: Background: Waitaki Valley with Jim Jerram from Ostler
