Mt. Beautiful Wines were showcased at our recent Wine Review Council in Temecula, California. Although some of the reviewers were familiar with these wines, this was my first introduction to this New Zealand grown and produced wine.  After a two-year quest to find an undiscovered area conducive to supporting a vineyard, David and Leigh Teece purchased farmland in the North Canterbury area of the South Island of New Zealand in 2003.  The land, situated between two rivers and located seven miles inland from the South Pacific Ocean, has a variety of microclimates and 23 different types of soil.  The towering Mt. Beautiful protects the eponymous winery from the coastal winds.  Vines were planted from 2003 to 2005, and the first wine was produced in 2007.  All their wines are made from estate-grown grapes and the vineyard is certified sustainable.

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