Mike's story... The Plain Naked Truth

I always knew a time would come OR an opportunity such as this, as provided by you beautiful Naked Angels that would be just too hard to ignore. In my lifetime I have been fortunate to have been surrounded by a great family and loyal friends and colleagues over my career to date without these people I simply would not be about to embark on this project!

After stints in California, Burgundy, Australia and 10 years of making wine for Jackson Estate in Marlborough, I have had the great fortune to work with and learn from some of the vinous world's great wine people and vineyard sites. Naturally this period in time has had a profound influence on shaping my winegrowing philosophy.

As winegrowers when we talk of wine and its key components we often play down the influence of the human touch and relationships that ultimately influence what is delivered in a glass. These relationships are what we aim to celebrate with Lay of the Land; our relationships with great friends who nurture their vines and in turn entrust us to capture their spirit and the uniqueness of their land growing season. We will work with people who we trust and know well - who have dedicated their lives to living from their land, long term, and who's land and vineyards we want to have a long term partnership with.

Wine should always be part of an occasion rather than the focus. Our ambition with Lay of the Land wines is to represent the pureness of Marlborough's striking Landscape, but with balance and texture and in turn immeasurable drinkability.