Fancrest Estate
Di & Ian Holding are creating a stunning vineyard Estate on the crest and slopes of an alluvial limestone fan above Omihi Road in the Omihi Valley arm of the Waipara Valley. They are the sole the owners. Di personally manages both the winegrowing and the winemaking and does much of the administration herself. This is a hands-on venture! Fancrest Estate produces only Pinot Noir. Di & Ian believe this degree of commitment to Pinot Noir is necessary to produce truly distinctive wines that genuinely express their origin.
Ian is a Musculoskeletal Specialist working in Christchurch. Ian plays an active role in the vineyard as well when time permits. Di's parents, Don and Edna, play a valuable supporting role too.
Fancrest Estate is in conversion to full BioGro registration. The grapevines are managed by hand and carry only very small crops. Harvesting also is done by hand. Winemaking relies on natural primary and malolactic fermentation and the wine is brought to our consumers with as little processing as possible.
The Estate also runs a small beef cattle herd and a free-range flock of guinea fowl, chickens and turkeys.
