NewsBy Arabella MilehamEdmond de Rothschild Heritage’s bid to buy Akarua in Central Otago had been approved by New Zealand’s Overseas Investment Office, paving the way for the Bordeaux-based company to produce its first organic wines. The estate comprises 34.5ha of vines, which the company said had been identified as some “of the best terroirs” for Pinot Noir, “on a par with Burgundy”, according to Ariane de Rothschild, president of the Edmond de Rothschild Group. The estate and Akarua brand acquired by the French company was founded in 1996 by New Zealand entrepreneur Sir Clifford Skeggs. It will continue to be produced, although the 2023 vintage onwards will incorporate portions of the Edmond de Rothschild family crest on the label. Edmond de Rothschild Heritage – which covers the non-banking lifestyle assets of the Edmond de Rothschild Group, including investments in wine, hotels, restaurants, and farming – owns 500ha of vines spread across Bordeaux, New Zealand, Argentina, Spain and South Africa.

Source: Stuff October 10, 2022 10:54 UTC