The People
Owner Rhonda Lloyd is a Californian who fell in love with a New Zealander and, from there, fell in love with his country. Passionate about Central Otago’s wines and the environment, her vision has fuelled a unique vineyard and environmental restoration project at Northburn. Together with winemaker Dave Sutton and the Te Kano team, they lovingly grow and create all their wine on estate sites overseeing every step from grape to bottle. Te Kano has also started a new era for the Northburn site, to undo some of the harms done by previous occupants. Their goal is to leave a different sort of footprint, with a restorative and regenerative approach to agriculture and a focus on leaving the land better than they found it.
Click below to learn about Te Kano, direct from winemaker Dave Sutton:
The Vineyards
Individually unique, the four Te Kano vineyards all add something special to the fabric that makes up the Te Kano family of award winning wines. Low yielding, delicately handled, and farmed with consideration, Te Kano’s wines highlight the very best of their vineyards and sub-regions.
Jerome – 4.6 hectares organically certified Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay in the sub-region of Bannockburn, Central Otago. Named after the matriarch of the Lloyd Family, these are some of our oldest vines. The sandy, devigorating soils have forced the roots ever deeper on their quest for water. This exploration of the terroir makes these wines some of the most typical of place, with a character that is unique and instantly recognisable.
Eliza – 4.5 hectares organically certified Pinot Noir in the sub-region of Bannockburn, Central Otago. Established in 2004 and sitting some 200 metres above sea level on deep silt and clay-based soils washed down from the Bannockburn sluicing’s give way to alluvial gravels. This vineyard site lends itself to wines with large berries and bunches, characterised by soft supple tannins and juicy black cherry notes.
Northburn – 40 hectares planted in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gamey Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc in the sub-region of Northburn, Central Otago. The beating heart of Te Kano Estate, Northburn is the largest of our four vineyards and our spiritual home. An extensive Kōwhai project is taking place here using seed harvested from an ancient ancestor tree. This work is also supported by some of the most unique vineyard plantings in the region. The lands many distinct aspects and elevations create wines of complexity that are a true reflection of place.
Waitaki – 11 hectares planted in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Gris in the region of Waitaki, Otago. Established in 2006 and home of the Te Kano winery, this vineyard site sits on layers of silt and gravel interlaced with limestone, creating unique soils perfect for fine Pinot Noir and aromatic white wines.
The Wines
White
Te Kano Chardonnay
Te Kano Blanc de Noir
Te Kano Life Pinot Gris
Rosé
Te Kano Rosé
Red
Kin Pinot Noir Te Kano
Te Kano Pinot Noir
Te Kano Bannockburn Pinot Noir