About

In 1999, Doug Cox established his vineyard in Gibbston, joining a small group of growers and wine producers who believed Central Otago was an ideal place for growing cool climate wine grape varieties. The foresight of these pioneers would go on to show the world that this region is capable of producing wines, in particular Pinot Noir, that are on par with the best in the world.

For the first 15 years, Coxs’ Vineyard was a contract grape growing operation. During this time, premium quality fruit was supplied to award-winning wine producers including Peregrine, Maude, Burn Cottage, Invivo and Takapoto Estate.

Growing premium grapes in such extreme southern latitudes is a challenging prospect. But the consistent high praise from clients, regarding the quality of the fruit, spurred the venture on.

In 2013, when Doug stepped back, his son Simon and wife Leah took over the business while building their home and starting a family. Supported by local growers and producers, they committed to securing the future of this exceptional site.

The greatest testament to the quality of the fruit grown here, came when in 2018, wine maker Andy Anderson won the coveted IWSC Pinot Noir Trophy with his Takapoto Single Vineyard Gibbston Pinot Noir 2014, made with 100% Coxs’ Vineyard grapes.

Despite such high quality fruit, contract grape growing was never going to give returns that matched the effort and resources put into it. So in 2015 the decision was made to start producing single vineyard wines.

With Simon running the wine business, Leah is at the helm of Seifert Gallery which specialises in art from NZ and the Pacific. The vineyard’s tasting room is also home to the gallery, blending art, wine, and place into a single experience.

Today the vineyard is both our home and our work. It is the backyard we share with family who live next door and where visitors are welcomed. We are mindful of the privilege we experience in a world where so many have so little.