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The home of Whistling Buoy wines, is a family-owned boutique vineyard and winemaking company situated within the Crater of Lyttelton Harbour, Banks Peninsula. From two unique sites they grow, and produce limited quantities of terroir-specific wines of great individuality and character. the work to ensure that vines are managed and cropped under sustainable certification, guaranteeing the best quality fruit possible from each vineyard site. These are exceptional wines from two exceptional
vineyards.
The Team
Renan (The grumpy french man)
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I have been looking after Meniscus Vineyard since 2010 and have taken over FrenchPeak Wines and vineyard in 2016.
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I have a passion for organic farming and "hands off" natural winemaking techniques.
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With a degree of Viticulture and Oenology from Montpellier (South of France) I decided to travel through Australia and New Zealand for a year in 2008.
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11 years later, I am still here and have met the two love of my life: Joey (a local girl who loves penguins, horses and good wine) and Akaroa!
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I strongly believe that Banks Peninsula is a very unique and special place to grow distinctive wines.
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When I am not taking you on a discovery of Banks Peninsula vineyards or tasting wines, you will find me in the vineyards, working and geeking out about soil and biodiversity!
Joey - (Wonder wife)
I am a fifth-generation farmer on the peninsula and I truly discovered the art of appreciating viticulture and the art of wine making after marrying my husband renan Cataliotti, manager of Meniscus wine and owner of French Peak wine.
Being a nature guide for Pohatu penguins, our family business, for many years now, I am very excited to take on this new project of show casing the wines we make on the peninsula. Helping others dive into the world of fine wine and caring for the land, something that my husband feels very strongly about and ensuring unique wines.
My husband and I are involved from beginning to end with the Production process with many hours spent working in the vineyard, From hardships and hilarity when knowing that we depend on mother nature cooperating with us to happiness when things work out and at the end of the day relaxing with a glass of wine that we made from scratch. Now we get to share these stories with you our tours.
Sue – Nature Guide
From across the ditch, and into a crater.
I was born in a city at the entrance to a famous wine region of Australia called the Hunter Valley, and have enjoyed being able to show guests a relaxed and enjoyable time on wine tours since 2012 after completing my guiding training in Tasmania.
I took many wine tours in Tasmania Australia from small intimate groups of friends, private tours, to hens dos.
Being from a cool climate, what I learnt in Tasmania has served me well here in the south island of New Zealand, as the climate and soil suit similar grape varieties.
Much of my New Zealand wine knowledge was gained in the Waipara region of Canterbury, and I am now enjoying sharing my understanding with guests about wines from the unique and beautiful terroir of Akaroa.
If you are a knowledgeable wine lover and drinker or a novice, I look forward to helping you enjoy our local wines in this spectacular area.
Kevin - (The Happy frenchman)
Behind the computer
Arrived as many others on a working holiday visa, I travelled a lot around New Zealand and was fortunate enough to have met a kiwi here in French Akaroa.
Having growing up in the Medoc in France near Bordeaux, young, I have played in vineyards from morning to dawn. French culture is all about wine and cheese it's not a stereotype its a reality!
meeting my Wife Ave (Joeys cousin) I became part of the family business Primarily working as a Sea-kayaking guide and now as the General Manager for Pohatu penguins; a family business running eco-tours.
Joey being married to Renan the other frenchman and all of us being tours guides it made sense to create “ The Banks peninsula wine tours” to French Peak and Meniscus wines.
You won’t see me driving but I am here behind the computer and helping you in any way I can.
