Chicago wine importer Marquis Savage fell in love with Central Otago on what was meant to be a quick tour of the region. Falling in love meant purchasing 24 hectares in the Cromwell basin, which were subsequently planted with clones specific to soil type and in accordance with biodynamic principles. Enlisted to help in this task was Ted Lemon of Littorai, who brought with him more than three decades of practical knowledge of terroir winegrowing based on experience in Burgundy, California and Oregon.Born-and-bred Central Otago talent Claire Mullholland, formerly of Martinborough Vineyards and Amisfield, takes charge of the winemaking, realising the bright, lively, profound potential of these vineyards year in, year out.
Every Burn Cottage release is a landmark. This estate strutted onto the Central Otago stage with such style and swagger in the late noughties that it immediately made a mark. It was also so respectful of nature and place that it was championed by its peers. It was more start-up than upstart, with characterful hard-rocking American Marquis Sauvage as visionary owner, a guru-like vineyard architect in Ted Lemon, and biodynamic viticulture as its cutting-edge tech.