Edmond de Rothschild Heritage

The Rimapere estate, owned by Edmond de Rothschild since 2012 and located in Marlborough, has announced that it has obtained dual organic certification. Committed to organic farming since 2020, the vineyard has been certified since 2025 under both the BioGro standards for New Zealand production and Ecocert standards for commercialization in Europe.

Rimapere, Where the Heart of the World Beats...

At the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, the Wairau River Valley benefits from exceptional sunlight, gravel and alluvial soils, and winds channeled by the surrounding hills. It is a terroir of natural tension, unanimously recognized as one of the world’s great birthplaces of Sauvignon Blanc.
It is in the heart of the Golden Mile that Rimapere has taken root across 24 hectares. Its name, meaning “five arrows” in Māori, connects the history of the Edmond de Rothschild family with that of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific, immediately establishing a philosophy: here, the land is not merely a means of production — it must be earned and respected in return.

“Rimapere benefits from an incredible terroir. One hundred years ago, the river still flowed through it. Today, we honor local traditions and the work of our predecessors. We add our expertise and a touch of innovation to create a couture vineyard that respects the land in Marlborough,” says Anne Escalle, Estate Director.

Organic and Regenerative Viticulture Guided by Precision

Rimapere continues on its path: that of a human-scale “single estate” vineyard, entirely contiguous, where all Sauvignon Blanc parcels surround the property. This proximity allows for daily monitoring and a refined approach to living ecosystems, at the heart of a committed agronomic philosophy: mechanical soil cultivation without herbicides, the planting of cover crops combining legumes, cereals, and flowers to nourish biodiversity and restore soil structure, and the use of natural composts and herbal infusions to stimulate microbial activity. Water management follows the same philosophy of precision and respect, through irrigation designed to mimic natural rainfall and encourage deep vine rooting.
“It is not about producing differently, but about producing more fairly,” summarizes Anne Escalle.

The First Certified Vintages Faithful to a Vision

The Rimapere Sauvignon Blanc Classique 2025 and Plot 101 2024 vintages are the first to receive organic certification. The Classique 2025 is available now. The single-vineyard Plot 101 2024 cuvée, the estate’s most accomplished expression, will be released in the final quarter of 2026. These two wines preserve the Rimapere signature: citrus notes, saline tension, incisive freshness, and an aromatic depth that continues to grow with each vintage.
Organic certification thus recognizes a long-standing commitment founded on attentive and regenerative viticulture: preserving soil vitality, strengthening the vineyard’s resilience to climate challenges, and guiding the vines with precision in order to preserve the integrity of the fruit and reveal the delicate energy of the Wairau Valley.
At the edge of the world, Rimapere reminds us that a great wine is never a construction, but rather a sensory medium inviting us on an unforgettable emotional journey