Harvesting Grüner Veltliner at Quartz Reef: A Day of Generations, Friendship & Celebration

There are some days in the vineyard that stay with you long after the last grape has been picked and yesterday was one of them.

At Quartz Reef Wines in Bendigo, Central Otago, we harvested ourGrüner Veltliner, a varietal that continues to excite us year after year. Rudi planted this variety in 2009. It is the most planted variety in Austria, where Rudi was born and lived until he came to New Zealand in 1985. 

Known for its vibrancy, texture, and food-friendly nature, our Grüner Veltliner reflects both the unique terroir of Central Otago and the connection to Austria.

But this harvest was about more than just the fruit.

“This was a very special day,” Rudi shared when we sat down after work for a drink of Methode Traditionelle Rose NV and it truly was.

Among the team wasFrida, aged 7, who proudly became the youngest person to ever help pick our Grüner Veltliner. She was shy at first but slowly warmed up in between the vines. Watching her move through the vines with curiosity and care was a reminder of why we do what we do, not just for the wines, but for the future generations who will carry this story forward.

Even more meaningful was the presence ofthree generations in the vineyard, working side by side. Thank you Ines (Anne's mother who is visiting from Austria) for helping us pick our Grüner Veltliner 2026!

From Vineyard to Table: A Wellington Connection

Joining us for the day was Kolja from the Ortega Fish Shack in Wellington, where much of our Grüner Veltliner is enjoyed. Kolja leads the front-of-house team and brings an infectious passion for wine and hospitality. His knowledge, warmth, and genuine love for what he does make him a joy to have both in the restaurant and, as we discovered, in the vineyard.

It felt fitting to have someone who shares our wines with others every day come and experience their beginnings firsthand.

Thank you Kolja!

A Lesson in Pairing: Oysters & Something Unexpected

After a full day of picking, we gathered to celebrate as all good harvest days should end.

Kolja introduced us to a pairing that stopped us in our tracks:fresh Bluff oysters with a dry sherry. Simple, elegant, and absolutely stunning.

With Bluff oyster season just beginning, the timing couldn’t have been better.

We also raised a glass of our Méthode Traditionnelle Rose NV, a perfect match for the occasion plus also a very good match with Bluff oysters.