Paula Ramage grew up in Alexandra and the Ward family farmed for many years on Malaghan’s Road, near Arrowtown. Central Otago is the homeland, the opportunity to develop a family vineyard there was too good to ignore. With equal amounts of enthusiasm and naivety, the Shanagolden Block was purchased in Gibbston and planted to Chardonnay in 1994. The historical site was originally settled in 1867 by James Leslie, a Scot who had emigrated to New Zealand at the age of 17. He and his partner, Thomas Kinross followed the Dunstan gold rush. Kinross established the Gibbston store and Post Office and James Leslie was the butcher and baker but also continued to prospect for gold. The free-draining, northerly aspect of this Block was particularly suited to viticulture. Waitiri Creek»