Sites and Growers directory

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We are setting out to make wines that tell a story about some pretty special sites, anchored in Marlborough’s southern foothills.

Working with growers who farm their land with respect for the biodiversity of its soils and its local environment, is essential in revealing the individuality of each place.

These are the growers who make our project possible. Corofin is our way of amplifying the singularity of their sites.

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Settlement Vineyard

Settlement

A dedicated Pinot Noir vineyard on the slopes of the Omaka Valley in Marlborough’s southern hills.

This site is owned by Dog Point and managed with immense intelligence and insight by viticulturist Nigel Sowman. The ‘East Slope’ lies in a nor-nor-east orientation and is planted at a density of 4,000 vines per hectare on clay-rich soils.

From our first vintage working with Pinot from Settlement, the wines have radiated a warmth and succulence. Clay, aspect, vine health and harmony all send their message via extract, fruit purity and an engaging energy in the bottle. BioGro certified.

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Wrekin Vineyard

Johns family

The Wrekin property occupies its own small locality tucked into the foothills of the upper Brancott Valley.

Farmed biodynamically by viticulturist Jeremy Hyland, together with visionary owners Jan and Andrew Johns, The Wrekin is fast becoming a site of significance on the region’s vineyard landscape.

With nor-nor-east orientated rows planted on gently rolling slopes, The Wrekin’s undisturbed clay soils, which lie over greywacke parent rock, contribute hugely to the distinctiveness of the wines made from this site. BioGro certified.

Wrekin Chardonnay for us is about precision and purity. Cooler fruit character expressed with brilliant clarity and beautiful shape of acidity. Texture and interest build with time in bottle.

Pinot Noir from Wrekin typically carries florals, crushed flowers. The site achieves good physiological and flavour ripeness at lower sugar levels; tannins confirm this with density and framing.

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Folium Vineyard

Okada

Planted in 1996, this beautiful site in the heart of the Brancott Valley has been owned and tended intuitively since 2011 by the Takaki Okada.

A graduate of UC Davis, Takaki has a steely conviction to farm without reliance on irrigation - instead conserving a precious resource and allowing the natural rainfall patterns to leave their imprint of the season.

Soil is Southern Valley Clay, around 1.5m over gravelly silt. Chardonnay from this dry-grown site has ripeness, precision and a delicious saline edge, reflecting sensitive farming practices and its deep-rooted vines. BioGro certified.

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Mangarua Vineyard

Sowman & Bird

One of the most exciting new vineyards to emerge out of Marlborough in recent times, Mangarua is the personal project of Nigel Sowman and Kathy-Lee Bird.

Situated at the southern end of the Omaka Valley, the two-terraced block is sheltered from the nor-west wind but captures all-day sun. Chardonnay destined for Corofin is planted on the ideally suited upper terrace, where the soils are low vigour

clay loam with free draining, high stone content. Planted in 2019 at a density of 3,788 plants per hectare with a mix of Mendoza, clone 548 and clone B95. Will be BioGro certified for the 2025 vintage.