DOMAINE REWA

THE STORY
In the tale that intertwines The House of Medici, Rudolf Steiner, and Central Otago Pinot Noir, a series of connections emerges.

When Philippa Fourbet (formerly Shepherd), a New Zealand banker based in London, entered a pottery workshop in the South of France, her connection with Yannick, the proprietor of the now-famous pottery works, echoed the artistic passion of the Medici family from centuries past. Her admiration, not directed at her future husband, Yannick, but rather at the awe-inspiring craftsmanship of handmade Anduze pots, set the stage for a remarkable journey.

Guided by the belief that "one would rather be born lucky than rich," Philippa found herself immersed in a love story that unfolded after Yannick received an invitation to showcase his works at the Chelsea Flower show in London. What began as a simple invitation to view his latest collection transformed into a long-distance relationship, marriage, two children, a vineyard, and countless glasses of exceptional Central Otago Pinot Noir.

The union of two individuals devoted to their crafts—pottery and winemaking—could have been satisfying enough, but fate intervened once again. The exploration, innovation, and experimentation of crafting fine wine in amphora pots, a practice not yet widely acknowledged, became their shared passion.

Today, Domaine Rewa, known for its exceptional organic and biodynamic Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling, is set to merge its expertise with the artistry of The French Potter. Their collaboration will result in a distinctive and textured Pinot Gris, crafted in a clay amphora pot. As the Fourbets acknowledge, with the passage of time in the vineyard and the establishment of the pottery works, "the harder they work, the luckier they get."

Yannick's dream extends beyond the vineyard, aiming to create New Zealand's inaugural clay amphora pot—an embodiment of terroir that delves deep into the vineyard's roots, promising the most authentic reflection of its essence.

For the consumer, the labor has been accomplished. So, as they relax and savor wines that articulate the essence of the locale, if they chance upon someone toiling away on a quaint country lane, they might extend the gesture of pouring them a glass too. After all, that stroke of luck led Yannick into the pottery business, but that's a tale for another day.