The People
Letting the past shape our future.
The People
Letting the past shape our future.
The family goes back 5 generations in the region (now 6!) to the pioneering days of Wanaka, with hoteliers, shopkeepers, farmers and now winegrowers.
PJ and Justine met in Dunedin, and she grew up down the road in Alexandra. PJ eventually proposed [heavy emphasis from Justine on the eventually] right in the middle of this block of land and wedding celebrations were held amongst the vines.
As often happens, work, travel and a busy life took the two of them overseas. Then out of the blue, a random meeting in Chicago led to the opportunity to return to Otago to where it all started.
Penkridge ties PJ back to Penkridge Downs, the sheep farm that he and his brother and sister grew up on. That farm was bought and named by PJ’s grandfather after a small market town in England near where he grew up before he immigrated to New Zealand. The land at Penkridge Farm was chosen in no small part because it looks out across Lake Dunstan toward the St Bathan’s range and the Lindis, to the hills of PJ’s grandfather’s sheep station, which still remains in the Davis family today.
“It’s quite a busy time launching a new wine label, especially when disrupted by the early arrival of Jack, but it all adds to the excitement. We love that another generation can grow up in this beautiful place. Pet lambs, swims in the dam, and helping his Grandad look after the grapes, what adventures await…”
Winemaker
Matt Connell
Matt Connell started his wine journey in hospitality, which led to him to working with David Evans from Passage Rock Wines, where he grew his understanding of the industry. He competed a Post Graduate Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology before moving to Oregon for 4 years with his wife Beth. While in the Willamette Valley, he developed a passion for Pinot noir, and he was drawn back to Central Otago in 2005. After several years winemaking for local wineries, he and Beth established their own winery in 2016 and are now crafting wines for several local vineyards.Matt has a hands off approach, letting the vineyard tell its own story, allowing the wines to show the best attributes of the vineyard. The most critical factor for him is timing in the picking of the fruit, when it’s at its optimal condition, ripeness and balance. Then perfecting the blend and ensuring the wine maintains its quality in the bottle. His wines exude richness of flavour, complexity and balance. Based just down the road from Penkridge Farm, Matt is highly regarded in Central Otago, making beautiful wines that showcase the region.