About Us
MARLBOROUGH
Let yourself be amazed
Ideally located in the prestigious area of Rapaura, the Rimapere vineyard spans 24 hectares for Sauvignon Blanc.
Benjamin de Rothschild dreamed of creating his own Sauvignon Blanc. He had to find the perfect gem and corresponding jewellery box for this precise wine-growing endeavour.
In 2012, he purchased 24 hectares of vines in New Zealand, ideally located in the prestigious area of the Wairau Valley on Rapaura Road, Rimapere Vineyard spans 24 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc.
The name of the property was a deliberate choice. Meaning “five arrows” in Te Reo Māori and simultaneously honouring the Rothschild family’s coat of arms (five arrows symbolising the five sons of dynasty founder Mayer Amschel Rothschild, out to conquer the world) and traditional New Zealand culture.
“Rimapere enjoys an incredible terroir. One-hundred years ago the river still ran across it. Today, its alluvial soil made up of large river pebbles lying flush with the clayey ground makes it fertile, naturally draining land”, explains Anne Escalle.
The vineyard is sustainably farmed, moving more and more towards organic practices over the last 5 years: grassing in the rows, sowing, mowing, leaving room for a flourishing vegetation and the development of micro organisms favourable to the good functioning of the soil life. Rimapere also uses organic products after a meticulous assessment to only use what is needed when it is needed . The average age of the vines is around 15 years.
In 2012, he purchased 24 hectares of vines in New Zealand, ideally located in the prestigious area of the Wairau Valley on Rapaura Road, Rimapere Vineyard spans 24 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc.
The name of the property was a deliberate choice. Meaning “five arrows” in Te Reo Māori and simultaneously honouring the Rothschild family’s coat of arms (five arrows symbolising the five sons of dynasty founder Mayer Amschel Rothschild, out to conquer the world) and traditional New Zealand culture.
“Rimapere enjoys an incredible terroir. One-hundred years ago the river still ran across it. Today, its alluvial soil made up of large river pebbles lying flush with the clayey ground makes it fertile, naturally draining land”, explains Anne Escalle.
The vineyard is sustainably farmed, moving more and more towards organic practices over the last 5 years: grassing in the rows, sowing, mowing, leaving room for a flourishing vegetation and the development of micro organisms favourable to the good functioning of the soil life. Rimapere also uses organic products after a meticulous assessment to only use what is needed when it is needed . The average age of the vines is around 15 years.
A vineyard's paradise
Marlborough, "The place with the hole in the cloud"
The Wairau Valley is one of the sunniest in New Zealand (with an average of 2,409 hours of sunshine per year). The Māori refer to it as “the place with the hole in the cloud”, or “Kei puta te Wairau”. It is in this Marlborough valley, the country’s premier wine-growing region, spanning over 24,000 hectares, that the Rimapere site is located. “What is striking here,” says Anne Escalle, Estate Manager of Rimapere “is how perfectly the vines integrate into the landscape and their extreme quality.
The Wairau River
"The New Zealanders have enriched their knowledge with the best techniques in the world and have adapted them” explains Anne Escalle. The vines are protected from the ocean winds by the Southern Alps and from Pacific storms by the North Island.
The Wairau River, with its incredible turquoise hue, an icon of Rimapere, has deposited layers of pebbles and gravel to form naturally draining alluvial terraces. This is what creates all the richness of the prestigious Rapaura area, where the 24 hectares of Rimapere is planted. Marlborough is world-renowned for producing intensely aromatic, highly distinctive wines.
The Wairau River, with its incredible turquoise hue, an icon of Rimapere, has deposited layers of pebbles and gravel to form naturally draining alluvial terraces. This is what creates all the richness of the prestigious Rapaura area, where the 24 hectares of Rimapere is planted. Marlborough is world-renowned for producing intensely aromatic, highly distinctive wines.
Plot 101, the quintessence of Rimapere...
The 5 arrows symbolise the 5 sons of Mayer Amschel Rothschild.
Zesty, fresh and slightly acidic, Rimapere Sauvignon Blanc will be your ally this summer!
Our People
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Ariane de RothschildChairwoman, Edmond de Rothschild GroupAriane de Rothschild was born in San Salvador. She lived in many countries during her peripatetic and cosmopolitan childhood, including Bangladesh, Colombia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After studying business in Paris and earning an MBA from Pace University, she began her career in the early 1990s in New York at Societe Generale and then at AIG, playing a central role in the finance-driven world transformation. -
Anne EscalleEstates DirectorHaving graduated with Masters in Viticulture, Vinification and Vineyard Management from the National School of Agricultural Engineering in Bordeaux, Anne holds a passion for ‘the alchemy between grapevines, terroirs, people and wines”. Previously a consultant for luxury wine estates ten years prior to her immigration to New Zealand fifteen years ago – she began her role as Head Winemaker for the Bankhouse Estate in Marlborough, the largest single estate in New Zealand. -
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Allie DavisDomestic Sales ManagerOriginally from California, Allie moved to New Zealand 6 years ago for a semester abroad at Massey University in Wellington. Upon finishing her programme in creative writing at Massey, and ultimately receiving her Bachelor of Science in Business Management she moved on to receive her Applied Graduate Diploma in Publishing from Te Auaha, Whitireia in Wellington. Once finishing her degree, she moved far south to Arrowtown to pursue a dream career in wine with Akarua. -
Kurt RobinsonViticulturistKurt originally from Central Otago, always had a philosophy on regenerative viticulture techniques, with a keen eye for detail and precision know-how. His aim is to understand the vine’s environment as deeply as possible and to provide it with the best approach for both the plant and the soil. -
Maelle SouamesMarketing & CommunicationOriginally from France, following studies in business management and economics then a master's degree specialising in luxury and wine marketing in Bordeaux. She joined Edmond de Rothschild Heritage in January 2020 in the Marketing & Communication department in Bordeaux.