Bannockburn · Central Otago
A life of contrasting experiences
Small things grow
Big can feel overwhelming. Broken into smaller, considered actions — multiplied by many — small things make the greatest difference.
As a thinker and a planner, Owen Calvert spent three decades overseas working with vulnerable communities — improving the livelihoods of subsistence farmers in developing countries and places in crisis.
When he came home to take on the Felton Road block, he carried that same mindful approach: sustainable production, an aesthetically pleasing landscape, and the work required to become one of New Zealand's earliest organic vineyards.
Today the vines provide for some of the country's most successful wine brands through leasing arrangements. The first vintage of Calvert Pinot Noir — created by Owen and winemaker Sarah — is his celebration of small things done beautifully.
Calvert is a special place — it captures the history of the region, the importance of sustainable production, and it connects people. It has been, and will continue to be, a place of reunions and celebrations for our family and friends, and I look forward to sharing it with others.
Owen Calvert Founder · Calvert Vineyard
From a single block of land
Secured land
Working overseas with a deep love for his birthplace, Cromwell, Owen Calvert secured a Felton Road block in considered acknowledgement of its unique potential.
Planted the Pinot Noir House Block
With Bannockburn recognised as a prime site for Pinot Noir, Owen made the decision to plant the first vines on the property.
Transition to organic
An easy decision to convert to organic management. Biogro certification followed in 2006 — benefits still reflected in the wine today.
Three renowned winemakers
Single-vineyard wines from Calvert produced by Felton Road, Craggy Range and Pyramid Valley — a pioneering act of collaboration.
Lease to Cloudy Bay
Calvert leased its vines to Cloudy Bay, extending the vineyard's reach across two of New Zealand's most emblematic wine regions.
First Calvert vintage
Winemaker Sarah Burton produced the first small-quantity Pinot Noir made entirely from the Calvert vineyard.
What began as a single block of land has become one of Central Otago's most reputable Pinot Noir vineyards.
Same land, three decades apart.
Sarah Burton
Calvert's winemaker brings exacting attention to detail, patience, and efficiency — honed across two decades in the wine industry, in New Zealand and overseas.
Since graduating from Lincoln in 2000, Sarah has worked vintages in Oregon, Bordeaux, the Douro Valley, Tuscany, the Hunter Valley, and in both Hawkes Bay and Marlborough — most recently at Cloudy Bay and Brennan Wines — before returning home to Central Otago.
As resident winemaker at Calvert, she makes a Pinot Noir that speaks of the vineyard and the sub-region of Bannockburn — and invites you to enjoy this first Calvert vintage.
I'm most excited about the Calvert vineyard because it has consistently shown the ability to grow clean, well-structured, intensely flavoured Pinot Noir grapes.
— Sarah Burton, Winemaker
Calvert Pinot Noir
The first vintage to bear the Calvert name — hand-harvested from the home block on Felton Road, made by Sarah Burton.
164 Felton Road, Bannockburn
Stay small
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