Dog Point

Winemakers Ivan Sutherland and James Healy met while working together at Marlborough's famed Cloudy Bay Vineyards on New Zealand's South Island. Considering Ivan's 18+ years of experience as a viticulturist and James' background in oenology, the pair decided to branch out on their own to create wines from Ivan and his wife's Dog Point Vineyard. Their first vintage (2002) was released in 2004 and the Dog Point label was born. Organic practices are carried out in the vineyard with over 150 hectares being certified by BioGrow New Zealand in 2012.

With both winemakers having travelled to Burgundy in the past, they admired the minimal intervention approach applied by many of the region's producers. Drawing from that experience, Ivan and James choose to take advantage of new-world technology while applying old-world philosophies. Dog Point Vineyards produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and two labels of Sauvignon Blanc, the premium of which has been barrel-matured to create complexity and charm.