Otu

New Zealand | Marlborough

Sustainable Farming

Otu Wine Estate brings together a unique, sea-swept terroir set at the edge of the Southern Ocean – where the ancient Otuwhero River runs through the lower valleys of Marlborough.

Cradled between snowy mountains and at the edge of the South Pacific Ocean, OTU Wine Estate has a remote coastal and rugged terroir. Along with low vigour soils and long sunshine hours, produces distinctively bold, ripe fruit flavours and exquisitely expressive wines. 

The wine-growing team is headed by leading New Zealand winemaker Jeff Clarke. Starting his winemaking career in Australia at Penfolds Wines, Jeff developed his craft in New Zealand for 17 years at Montana Wines where he gained significant experience in emerging varieties of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. More recently, Jeff has guided and grown several leading NZ wine companies through new wine styles, new markets and new winemaking facilities.

Whilst at Montana, as head of the winemaking team, Jeff was honoured twice to be named “International White Winemaker of the Year” first at the London International Wine Challenge in 1999 and again in Japan in 2003, in addition to being nominated by leading Uk wine journalist Tim Atkin as one of his six top winemakers globally.