Central Otago producer beside Lake Dunstan, with hand harvested Pinot Noir and aromatic white wines.
The producer
Misha’s Vineyard was established beside Lake Dunstan in Central Otago after its founders chose New Zealand wine production. Pinot Noir occupied two thirds of the vineyard, alongside Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. The team tends vines and harvests fruit by hand, hand plunges Pinot Noir fermentations, and uses minimal intervention in the cellar. The named range includes Misha’s High Note Pinot Noir, Mishas Cantata Pinot noir, The Gallery Gewürztraminer and Dress Circle Pinot Gris.
Known for
Lake Dunstan Pinot Noir and whites
Notable facts
The first 10 hectares were planted on 8 November 2004.
The vineyard’s terraces face north west and rise from 210 to 350 metres above sea level.
Pinot Noir occupied two thirds of the established vineyard planting.
Misha’s Vineyard is certified through Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand.
The story
From Singapore To Vines
In late 2001, the founders decided to pursue wine production in New Zealand after careers that had taken them to Singapore in 1993 for regional marketing and sales roles. They spent two years searching for a site. Vineyard development began in 2004, and on 8 November the first 10 hectares were planted on the land that became Misha’s Vineyard. The move from global corporate work to a vineyard beside Lake Dunstan happened through a decision, a long search and a planting day.
From the atlas
Misha’s Vineyard
Misha’s Vineyard in Central Otago was established beside Lake Dunstan, with hand worked Pinot Noir and aromatic white grapes on terraces facing north west.
Hand work, Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand certification, minimal intervention
The Producer
Pinot Noir fermentations are hand plunged at Misha’s Vineyard, where the team tends vines and harvests fruit by hand. The cellar approach is minimally interventionist, supported by exacting viticulture. The founders came to wine after regional marketing and sales roles in Singapore and chose New Zealand production in late 2001.
Misha’s Vineyard aims to create cool climate wines suited to subtle and exotic foods and expressive of origin. In the established vineyard, Pinot Noir occupied two thirds of the planting, with Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc alongside it. In June 2026, the producer announced the sale of its 57 hectare Bendigo vineyard, historically established by Misha’s Vineyard. The purchaser and completion date remain unclear.
Place
Misha’s Vineyard stands on the edge of Lake Dunstan in Central Otago. The established plantings sit on terraces facing north west, from 210 to 350 metres above sea level, with three gently sloping levels and one steep face known as the ski slope.
Different soils, elevations, mesoclimates, row orientations and clones contribute to complexity in the wines. The vineyard’s physical variety sits beneath both the Pinot Noir plantings and the aromatic white grapes.
Wines
The named range includes two red Pinot Noir wines, Misha’s Vineyard Misha’s High Note Pinot Noir 2021 and Misha’s Vineyard Mishas Cantata Pinot noir 2020. The white wines are Misha’s Vineyard Mishas The Gallery Gewürztraminer 2021 and Misha’s Dress Circle Pinot Gris 2020.
Cantata 2020 is youthful, firm, dry, salivating and taut, with acidity and tannins providing its foundation. Its suggested drinking window runs from 2023 through 2029 or beyond.
Final Word
Hand work in the vineyard and minimal intervention in the cellar define Misha’s Vineyard’s method. The producer also documents and classifies historic gold mining remnants with New Zealand’s Department of Conservation.