Meet our newest producers

14th September 2020

Behind the scenes, our buyers have continued to explore the magical world of wine in their never-ending search for wines of great quality, pioneering producers, and far-flung vineyards. Fresh to the table this September are seven champions of their respective regions, each committed not only to producing fantastic wines that truly express their terroir, but also to working the land sustainably and respecting their environment.

Take a look below to meet the newest additions to the Walker & Wodehouse family…

Neudorf Vineyards

Artisanal pioneers of the organic wine movement in Nelson.

Neudorf Vineyards is one of New Zealand’s most treasured producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Situated in Nelson, New Zealand’s sunniest region and as of yet a small-scale player in the wine world, Neudorf has risen to become a well-known pioneer of organic winemaking, with a fantastic reputation for quality.

In the words of owners Tim and Judy Finn, organics are the ‘very heart of Neudorf’, and the winemaking team’s decision to tread gently is reflected in every decision they make. All Moutere blocks are either certified or in conversion, but the environmentally-friendly drive doesn’t end there. A number of green initiatives are in place throughout the winery, from composting all waste, to using a flock of sheep to mow and fertilise vineyards, to a switch to lightweight bottles.

Domaine Félines Jourdan
A nature-rich terroir and generations of family know-how.

Domaine Félines Jourdan was founded in 1983, when Marie-Helene Jourdan and her husband Michel switched up the Picpoul status quo, launching their own winery in a region dominated by co-operatives. Today, the Jourdans’ daughter Claude runs things at the estate, which has risen to become one of the most famous names in Picpoul. Although she retains much of her family’s generational winemaking knowledge in her work, the team at Domaine Félines Jourdan are always ready to embrace change: every harvest is adapted to what the vintage offers, and they only ever work with the most up-to-date technology available.

Many of the domaine’s vineyards are planted right on the Mediterranean coast, at the edge of the picturesque Thau Lagoon, famed for being home to flamingos and spectacular marine life. Recognising the importance of these surroundings, the winery practices sustainable viticulture, and are committed to protecting the land they work on. This unique terroir translates to crisp, bright flavours and electric acidity that characterise the Félines Jourdan wines.

Ferrari Trento
Stars of the Italian sparkling wine world.

No one embodies the spirit of Italian sparkling quite like Ferrari Trento. Their story dates back to 1902, when founder Giulio Ferrari planted Italy’s first Chardonnay vines in the Trentino Mountains, working on a hunch that the region’s geographical similarities to Champagne would spell success. Fast forward a century and it’s clear that Giulio’s suspicions were true; Ferrari Trento’s wines, all crafted in the Metodo Classico style, are world-renowned for their expressive nature, flavour, fragrance, and complexity.

Now spearheaded by the Lunelli family, the winery picks up scores of awards across the globe every year, most recently the title of ‘Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year’ at the 2019 Champagne & Sparkling World Championships. All vineyards are organically certified, and President Matteo Lunelli has several initiatives in place to safeguard not only the land they work on, but the wellbeing of all workers.

Azienda Agricola Giovanni Rosso

Champions of organically farmed Nebbiolo.

A small winery nestled in the heart of Serralunga d’Alba, Azienda Agricola Giovanni Rosso focuses on one thing: Nebbiolo. Or, more specifically, growing Nebbiolo that will create the perfect Barolo. The Rosso family have farmed vineyards in the region for centuries, and their longstanding know-how about the complexities of Serralunga d’Alba is evident in their range.

Giovanni Rosso’s vineyards span some of the most historically important areas in the region, and winemaker Davide Rosso manages to incorporate the subtle nuances of each terroir into every wine he creates. Under Davide’s watchful eye, every vineyard on the estate is farmed using organic principles: harvesting is 100% manual, as is pruning and the tilling of soil; plant growth in the vineyards is encouraged; and no artificial fertilisers, insecticides, or weed killers are used.

Quinta de la Rosa
Pioneers of still red in the Douro.

Quinta de la Rosa represent the very best of Douro winemaking: determination, pride, tradition, and pure skill. The Bergqvist family has been involved in the port trade since 1815, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that they expanded into the production of still red wines, quickly rising to become one of the pioneers of this burgeoning category in the Douro. To this day, Quinta de la Rosa remains notable in their region for their stunning estate, one of the only farms left to stretch from its peak of 450m all the way down to the bank of the river, encompassing an incredible 11 microclimates.

The team are firmly committed to sustainable farming practices, with the ultimate aim of preserving the Douro’s unique environment for future winegrowers. Biodiversity is encouraged, and vines are grown in sites identified as uniquely ideal for their success, with as little interference as possible – resulting in some phenomenal wines that express true purity, in all senses of the word.

Bodega Mustiguillo
Organic Valencian wines with a unique Mediterranean character.

Bodega Mustiguillo are a true champion of indigenous grapes. The real star at this Valencian winery is the Bobal grape, grown on ancient vines that span Finca Terrerazo, a century-old estate acquired by Mustiguillo’s winemaker Toni Sarrion back in 1972. The estate’s unique location, situated 800 metres above sea level, provides the perfect conditions for Bobal to shine. This distinctive terroir was awarded its own DOP in 2010, making it the first Vino de Pago single estate wine DO in the entire Mediterranean.

Having expanded into his second estate, Finca Calvestra, to focus on Spanish white grape Merseguera, Toni’s name is now synonymous with Spanish viticulture. All vineyards at Mustiguillo are grown sustainably, with an environmentally friendly attitude that promotes respect for the land in place at all times. The Bodegas Mustiguillo wines are all certified organic, and are a pure expression of their surroundings, with a rare, elegant and delicate Mediterranean character.

Flint Vineyard
Norfolk-based champions of Bacchus.

A small, family-run business, Flint Vineyard’s values are grounded in sustainability and provenance. Since its establishment in 2016, Flint has developed a stellar reputation as one of England’s rising stars. Owners Ben and Hannah set up shop after years visiting the world’s best wine regions, where winemaker Ben learnt to throw out the rulebook in favour of intuition and innovation.

Based in England’s sunniest and driest region, Norfolk, sensitivity to the environment is a key tenet of Flint’s approach. Most routine work at Flint is done by hand, a process represented perfectly by their logo: a Venn diagram, designed to symbolise the winery being a meeting point between traditional craft, and developing science. The winery team continually experiment with organic methods, and hold a strong commitment to building a profound understanding of how best to cultivate their chosen varieties: Bacchus (for which they are particularly famous), Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc.