Rudi Bauer

Quartz Reef winemaker and two-time recipient of New Zealand Winemaker of the Year, Rudi Bauer, says that achieving biodynamic certification is a very special milestone that reflects outstanding commitment from the Quartz Reef team.

“Our conversion to biodynamic viticulture is really just the beginning of a wonderful journey to further understand our beautiful vineyard being reflected in the most sincere way. We see biodynamics as the philosophy that will allow this to happen more and more.”

The concept of biodynamics was introduced to the world in 1924 by Austrian philosopher and educator, Rudolf Steiner. The development of industrial farming techniques had resulted in declining land fertility and livestock health. To revive farm fertility Steiner advocated use of biodynamic preparations and composting to increase microbial life, structure and nutrient availability in the soil.

Austrian-born Rudi Bauer is the winemaker at Quartz Reef winery in Central Otago. Born in Salzburg, Rudi gained his degree in viticulture and winemaking in Austria and Germany before coming to New Zealand in 1985 on a 6 month working visa. Here he fell in love with the country, the wine and a “Kiwi girl” (not necessarily in that order of significance) and the net result has been the New Zealand wine industry’s gain!

He worked at Mission Vineyard in Hawkes Bay until 1989, doing vintages in his off-seasons in California and Oregon. The Oregon experience gave Rudi a taste for Pinot Noir, and he moved to Central Otago to make the region’s first gold and trophy pinot noir at Rippon Vineyard in 1991. He moved on to Canterbury, producing consistent medal-winners at Giesen for five years, before returning to Central Otago. It was here in 1996 at Bendigo that Rudi created Quartz Reef; specialising in Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Méthode Traditionnelle. In particular he enjoys and explores the Pinot Noir’s many dimensions, and the convergence of the old and the new.

Widely considered as a far-sighted pioneer of the Central Otago wine region and one of the most charismatic producers in the country, Rudi was awarded Winemaker of the Year in 1999 and again in 2010. He was also honoured to be the first New Zealand winemaker nominated for the prestigious “Der Feinschmecker Winemaker of the Year” in 2010.

Rudi’s infectious enthusiasm for his craft, coupled with his wickedly dry Austrian/Kiwi sense of humour, guarantee that his Masterclass tastings are as entertaining as they are informative.