Terra Sancta

Terra Sancta means "Sacred Earth," and for the team behind this Bannockburn estate, that isn't just marketing fluff. Located at the far end of Felton Road, arguably the most famous address in Central Otago, this property sits on land that was once turned upside down by the 1860s gold rush. Today, it has been reclaimed as a thriving ecosystem where vines share the space with chickens, goats, and wild thyme.

The estate is home to the oldest vines in the Bannockburn sub-region, planted back in 1991. These ungrafted blocks, particularly the Slapjack and Sarah’s vineyards, dig into a chaotic mix of schist gravels, clay, and rare limestone seams. This soil diversity is the engine room of the winery. It allows them to produce wines that range from the dark, brooding power of their top Pinot Noirs to the electric, mineral-driven edge of their Riverblock Chardonnay.

They describe themselves as "immensely curious," which explains why they don't just stick to the script. While they make serious, age-worthy wines using wild ferments and minimal intervention, they also experiment with botanical aperitifs and distinct Italian varietals. It is a producer that respects the history of the region without getting stuck in the past, offering a lineup that feels vibrant, textured, and deeply connected to its little corner of the world.