December 2025
Twenty-five years ago last month, the first vines were planted at Pyramid Valley’s Waikari farm in what would become the Angel Flower block.
Mike and Claudia spent fifteen years searching for this place.
A place with the perfect combination of limestone and clay, climate and topography. Countless soil samples were sent back to friends in Burgundy for analysis, until finally ‘gold’ – in the form of limestone-clay – was struck. Burgundian soil specialist Claude Bourgignon verified the soil as being so close to those in Burgundy that Claude thought Mike had sent him a sample from Burgundy. And with that, the fate of Pyramid Valley in Waikari was sealed.
"I wanted to find a place where the voice was so loud that you couldn't hear the grape."
⁓ Mike Weersing
Next year, we will celebrate 20 years of Angel Flower and Earth Smoke Pinot Noir, the first wines to be produced from this special property. Since their release in 2006, they have created a new dimension for fine New Zealand wine, illustrating the incredible impact of this remarkable vineyard.
With some big plans on the horizon for Pyramid Valley, Smith & Sheth and Lowburn Ferry, 2026 is going to be an exciting year. We look forward to you joining us.
Until then, ngā mihi o te wā, season’s greetings!
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Steve Smith MW Natalie Grace
Editor at Large Chief Editor