About Us
Folding Hill Wine Company is owned and run by the Kerruish family. Tim and Nikki met in the North Island 30 years ago where they were both working as doctors, but they soon fell in love with the incredible wine and stunning landscapes of Central Otago. The first vines were planted in late 2003 and since then, Tim and Nikki have produced a lot of grapes and 4 children, Matthew, Mollie, Hannah and Izzy.
From the moment we arrived at Folding Hill we have taken a single minded approach to producing the very best Pinot Noir possible from our special part of the world.
Advised by legendary Central Otago viticulturist Robin Dicey, planting of our first vines commenced in late 2003. We carefully selected Pinot Noir clones, and rootstocks, proven locally to make wines with complexity, flavour, balance and length and have done everything possible to ensure the vines have been able to reach their full potential. We strongly believe that low yields are of paramount importance in creating outstanding Pinot Noir and we manage our vines intensively through the growing season to ensure crop levels are around 3.5 - 4.5 tonnes per hectare.
In 2016 we planted a small block of Chardonnay and we are absolutely delighted that it is producing top class fruit with our debut vintage being made in 2020. All the fruit for our wines is sourced from our Biogro certified organic vineyard in Bendigo.
In The Vineyard
In The Winery
Our approach to winemaking is based on the traditional philosophy and practices of the 'Old World'. We believe that hand picking optimally ripe fruit and then gently guiding it through vinification with as little intervention as possible allows us to produce elegant wines that authentically reflect the special place they come from - wines that really are "Handmade from Central Otago"
Harvesting is done entirely by hand. This allows us to be scrupulous in our rejection of any unsuitable grapes, ensures that only the highest quality fruit is used and creates a more personal bond with the winemaking process. Bunches are fully destemmed and berries fermented whole in small fermenters using wild and innoculated yeasts. Our different clones are treated separately throughout winemaking and elevagé to allow the assembly of a final blend that combines texture, structure and flavour.
After many years of experience our choice of barrel is now Francois Frere Medium Toast. Using a mix of new and old barrels we find these have consistently produced the best wines across all clones. Wines are bottled unfiltered and unfined.
Orchard Block Pinot Noir 2022
“Beautifully expressive Bendigo Pinot Noir with fine detail and precision. Dark cherry and wild thyme notes unfold with freshness and poise, framed by refined tannins and a long, savoury finish.”
Jamie Goode, UK
read our accolades
Chardonnay 2024
“Complex and enticing, the bouquet shows golden peach, mango, nougat, roasted hazelnut, and brioche characters, leading to a wonderfully weighted palate offering a creamy mouthfeel, backed by fine acidity, finishing persistent and satisfying."
94pts, 5 stars Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
Pinot Noir 2022
"Folding Hill Pinot Noir has always had a place in my heart for the sheer weight of the Pinot Noirs from this warm, dry, southern site. This Pinot Noir is entirely estate-grown and all the better for being made from a single site, in which its ripe spicy aromas combine with red fruit scents of cherries, raspberries and crisp acidity, which brings
freshness to the wine. It drinks very well now and can age further, evolving into an even more interesting wine over the next five to six years,
potentially longer."
Joelle Thomson 18.5/20
Next Generation
The kids have grown up amongst the vines and have a deep love for the special place that is Folding Hill. Matthew was there for the very first harvest while the girls have also picked a fair few grapes over the years! They are beginning to take on more active roles in the business: Matthew is now a winemaker, having completed vintages in Burgundy as well as Central Otago and the girls are showing a real flair for marketing.
