Altitude and Attitude

Clayridge Vineyards is an exciting concept based around a steep hillside vineyard hand planted by Mike & Paula Just - on one of the highest sites Marlborough. These vines, unlike most on the low flat plains of the region, have never been irrigated and as such have established a natural deep rooting system that will maximize the flavour potential of the low vigor clay-based soils on this unique site. This combination of altitude and attitude will allow the vineyard to exhibit the genuine potential of the terroir of this special slope.

Careful vine selection, close planting, low yields & hands-on viticulture based around environmentally friendly practices all contribute to achieving the premium quality this site can offer. Unlike most other vineyards, Clayridge is non-irrigated with the goal of growing small concentrated bunches to produce wines of great character and individuality.

Clayridge also has two other boutique vineyards growing exclusively for the Clayridge brand.

Escaroth Estate is another hillside vineyard of 10 acres situated on north facing slopes in Marlborough’s Taylor Pass valley, and the Barnhouse Vineyard is a 3 acre block planted in the clay based soils of the Wither Hills.

New neighbours Cloudy Bay and Seresin lend weight to Mikes “gut feeling” that the area has great potential!

Recent History

Mike and Paula Just have been involved in the wine industry for many years now. Mike started his training as a winemaker in Germany in the late 1980’s & subsequently worked at a number of prominent German wineries. Paula worked along side Mike for close to a year in Germany before they returned to New Zealand in 1995, where they settled on Marlborough as their chosen region to live and work in. After just over a year at the then Merlen winery Mike took on the senior winemaking position at Lawson’s Dry Hills. During his 8 years at Lawson’s Mikes wines were awarded with 6 Trophies, 20 Gold medals and achieved Top 100 status in the US!

Paula also worked at Lawsons in a sales position before moving to Ponder Estate then Matua Marlborough.

Mike left his senior winemaking position to concentrate on Clayridge. He has also formed his own Winemaking Consultancy and is Winemaker for Auntsfield Estate, Maven Wines and he manages the purpose built Pinot Noir Cellar at Marlborough’s Indevin Winery.

Click here to view details of the Clayridge range of wines