PINOT CENTRAL

Text by Alan Brady
Photographs by Dale Gardiner & Alan Brady
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‘It was midwinter, about July 1981, when the decision was made. After all the research and enquiries and negative advice from various ‘experts’, we decided there was only one way to find out if grapes would grow and ripen in our conditions, and that was to plant some vines.’ And there begins the story of one of our most treasured winemakers and best known wineries.

When Alan Brady planted his experimental vineyard on a few dusty acres in Gibbston, Central Otago, leading experts warned that the region was too cold to sustain a viable wine industry. Brady, an Irish born journalist with no experience of winemaking, doggedly persisted with his experiment. Ten years later, his Gibbston Valley Wines was attracting international attention and winning numerous awards for its Pinot Noir. Brady had proved the sceptics wrong. Today Central Otago Pinot Noir is recognised as amongst the finest in the world.

Pinot Central is the story of New Zealand’s most spectacular wine region told with wit and honesty by one of its seminal pioneers. It’s a story of Kiwi ingenuity and Irish obstinacy and the magic spell of a landscape like no other. Alan Brady captures the optimism and determination of the early winegrowers as well as their passion for a grape variety that, while unpredictable and elusive, ultimately seduces all who fall under its thrall.

About the author:
Alan Brady was born in Northern Ireland and trained as a journalist. He moved to New Zealand in 1960 and worked for the Manawatu Evening Standard and the Otago Daily Times before beginning his television news career with NZBC in 1969. Later he worked on the ground-breaking Inquiry and headed the TV One newsroom in Dunedin. In the late ‘70s Brady and his wife purchased a property in Gibbston, Central Otago. In 1990 he became a full-time winemaker. Alan Brady is a pioneer of the Central Otago wine industry and founder of the famous Gibbston Valley Wines. He left Gibbston Valley Wines in 1997 to build the acclaimed Mount Edward winery. At 74 Brady continues to live and make wine in Central Otago.

About the photographer:
Photographer Dale Gardiner is one of New Zealand’s most dynamic landscape photographers. A New Zealander born and bred, he has a natural talent and the ability to capture in an image the wild timeless beauty of our dramatic and inspiring country. Dale’s advertising client list includes Nike, Mild 7, Eichardts Hotel, Kraft Foods, Rodd & Gunn, Tourism New Zealand and Dominion Breweries. For more info on Dale or to view samples of his other work go to his website http://www.dalegardiner.com/.