This is where it all started, and it’s still the heart of everything we do.

The Burn Cottage Vineyard sits in a sheltered, northeast-facing amphitheatre in the foothills of the Pisa Range — carved out by the gentle ebb and flow of the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers — a spot that had been on the radar of several Central Otago winemakers before the Sauvages got there first. Long, warm growing days. Cool nights and low rainfall. It's a continental climate that suits Pinot Noir very well.

The first blocks went in the ground in 2003. Development was slow by design, combining a unique blend of clones and rootstock within each block — we've always been more interested in getting it right than getting it done. Pinot Noir dominates the north and north-east slopes, with small plantings of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling higher up on the east-facing face, including one of the very first Grüner plantings in New Zealand.

Bannockburn has long been one of Central Otago’s most respected sub-regions, and the Sauvage Vineyard sits in exceptional company — between Felton Road’s MacMuir Vineyard and Mt Edward’s Muirkirk Vineyard on the north-east side of Felton Road. Neighbours we have a lot of time for.

The vineyard is 5.3 hectares of Pinot Noir, with the oldest vines planted in 1999 — a mix of clones and the kind of diversity we love working with. We've been farming it under organics/biodynamics since the 2017 season. Sauvage Vineyard also called out to us for Chardonnay, so over the last three years we've added 0.5ha of Chardonnay to the mix.

Bannockburn has a lot to say. We’re listening.

Sappa is our newest addition and still finding its voice — which is honestly one of the most exciting parts of working with a young site.

This pocket-sized vineyard is perched on the corner of Felton Road, overlooking the Kawarau River, and planted with 2ha of Pinot Noir. Like our other vineyards, it's farmed organically/biodynamically and with close attention to what each block is telling us. It adds something new to the Burn Cottage portfolio, and we think that's a good thing.

Watch out for the first release from vintage 2024.