Millton is a family estate at Manutuke, near Gisborne, on the banks of the Te Arai River. James and Annie Millton started it in 1984 on land where vines have grown since 1871, and the Te Arai home block was planted progressively from that first year on alluvial silt loam beside the river.
Everything here is farmed organically and biodynamically. The estate follows Steiner's preparations, uses no synthetic herbicides, fungicides or fertilisers, and was among the first in New Zealand to be certified in both. James went so far as to buy his own cows so the manure for the compost and the horn preparations came from the property. Alongside Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay, the Te Arai block carries red varieties including Merlot and Malbec.
This is a red of dark fruit and spice with a little oak behind it, richly textured but balanced. Serve it a touch cooler than room temperature and give it a short time in the glass to open up. It suits barbecued lamb, grilled sausages or a plate of hard cheese.