Our Story

The story begins – Mount Michael Vineyard arose out of Sue and Martin Anderson’s desire to live and run a business in Central Otago. They spent nearly two years finding the right site; a six hectare plot overlooking the Wanaka – Queenstown turnoff at Cromwell. An initial three-hectare vineyard was planted with approximately half Chardonnay grapes and the other half in Pinot Noir grapes.

The very first harvest of grapes from the Mount Michael Vineyard were picked, and blessed by the local Anglican Church Vicar. Causing some controversy as the local Catholic Church went on to being included in the founding label.

In order to focus her initial efforts on the vineyard, Sue sold grapes from the first two years harvest to Chard Farm. By 1999, Sue felt that the vineyard was well established and the grapes had achieved sufficient quality. The first wines under the “Mount Michael” label were made by Matt Dicey of Mt Difficulty.

The Central Otago Wine Growers Association (COWA) showcased the region for the first time in London at New Zealand House. Mount Michael Wines were a part of this maiden journey to the United Kingdom, entering in the The London International Wine Challenge and awarded a Silver Medal for the 2002 Pinot Noir at the worlds largest wine competition.

After a decade the Anderson family sold Mount Michael Wines to a consortium of wine enthusiasts. With the success of Mount Michael Wines a premium reserve wine was created and named after an original and most loved “employee”, Bessie. A Fox terrier and rabbit hunter of legend, she was vineyard “supervisor” for many years.

Alan Scott of the aforementioned investment consortium went on to buy out his other investors from the vineyard and later that year the remaining syndicate inclusive of Peter Morrison & Debbie Laycock purchased a new seven-hectare plot in Lowburn where Mount Michael Wines found its new home.

Across the 2005–2015 decade, Mount Michael steadily built a reputation for high‑calibre aromatics and Pinot Noir on the show circuit.

Highlights include a Silver Medal at the London International Wine Challenge, Gold‑medal status for Mount Michael Pinot Gris 2014 at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, and multiple show medals for Pinot Gris 2012, including recognition at the New Zealand International Wine Show and the China Wine & Spirits Awards – Best Value.

Together, these results laid the foundation for Mount Michael’s ongoing success with aromatic whites and Central Otago Pinot Noir.

A new Chapter.

As Mount Michael Wines heads into its third decade, the Robbie family acquire Mount Michael in 2015 with Peter (a fifth-generation southerner ) and daughter Anna at the helm, the next chapter of the story begins.

New friendships are formed with three-generational growers sourcing their premium fruit from Lowburn, Bendigo & Gibbston; subregions of Central Otago.

The Mt Michael Lodge is opened by Alistair & Fiona Marris, the first luxury accommodation of its kind amongst Central Otago vines.

In 2016 our Reserve Pinot Noir wasn’t the only good thing gathering momentum. So was our baby niece and whilst she only had 9 and a bit months ‘in barrel’ her parents named her Isla Robbie when she came into the world in 2017.

We are thrilled to announce ISLA as our Reserve Pinot Noir for 2016. Debuting Gold in the Exhibition Category of the 2017 Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

Brought new members to the Mount Michael family as we design and launch the first wines in our new collection ‘The Mountaineer’.

We also make our first vegan friendly wines.

2020 was a significant year for Mount Michael, reinforcing an already strong track record on the New Zealand show circuit. Our Mount Michael Pinot Gris 2020 received Double Gold and theTrophy for Champion Pinot Gris at the New Zealand International Wine Show, the country’s largest wine competition. This top‑of‑class result, achieved against a strong national field, further underscored the purity, balance and varietal expression that define Mount Michael’s approach to aromatic wines.

The Mountaineer Pinot Noir continues to increase in popularity beyond expectations and to bolster fruit supply Mount Michael takes control and long term tenure of a spectacular Earnscleugh block producing wonderful fruit right on the Clutha River not far below the Clyde Dam.

Mount Michael’s Central Otago wines continue to shine on the show circuit, underscoring the calibre and consistency of our portfolio. In 2024, the2023 Mount Michael Pinot Grisreceived aSilvermedal in the aromatics class, recognising its vibrant fruit purity, finely balanced acidity and expressive varietal character. In the same show season, the 2022 Mount Michael Pinot Noir and 2021 Mount Michael Bessies Block Pinot Noir were each awarded Bronze medals, highlighting the elegance, structure and site expression of our Pinot Noir program.

In 2025, we welcomed Andrew Keenleyside to the Mount Michael team as Head Winemaker. With more than 20 consecutive Central Otago vintages to his name, Andrew brings deep regional knowledge and a clear, restrained winemaking style. His wines have earned international recognition from James Suckling, including a rare 100-point Pinot Noir that he described as the best Pinot Noir he has tasted from New Zealand. We’re thrilled to have Andrew on board as we shape the next chapter of Mount Michael.

After 20 years away, we’ve taken a lease over our original Cromwell block, returning to the foothills of Mount Michael where it all began.

This vineyard reflects the early vision of Sue and Martin, with rootstock planted in 1994. Today, those vines are delivering exactly what was hoped for all those years ago. With some of the region’s oldest Chardonnay and deeply established Pinot Noir, we’re now working with fruit that carries real depth, balance and site expression.

These are mature vines with a strong sense of place. With them, we’re looking ahead with confidence and intent, building on a foundation that has been decades in the making.