New Producer IntroductionThis feature marks the introduction of the Waitaki Valley to the Village Cellars portfolio — a region we have not previously represented and one that remains relatively unknown even within New Zealand. To better understand what this emerging region has to offer, we spent time with Q WINE co-founder Jules Matthews, exploring the place, the people, and the wines.。Waitaki Valley: New Zealand’s Hidden FrontierIn a country where Marlborough’s clear, fruit-driven wines have come to define much of New Zealand’s export identity, the Waitaki Valley offers a more complex and distinctive expression. Straddling the boundary between Canterbury and North Otago on New Zealand’s South Island, this narrow stretch of north-facing slopes along the Waitaki River is one of the country’s youngest and most marginal wine regions, with development beginning only in the early 2000s.■ Unique limestone soilsWhat sets Waitaki apart begins beneath the surface. Unlike much of New Zealand, where vineyards are rooted in volcanic, gravel, or alluvial soils, Waitaki’s soils are formed from limestone derived from an ancient seabed dating back some 38 million years. This limestone influence — often associated with regions such as Burgundy — is rare in the New Zealand context and is visible in both the pale vineyard soils and the dramatic formations that shape the landscape, underpinning its recognition as the Waitaki Whitestone UNESCO Global Geopark.UNESCO registered Whitaki Whitestone Geopark ■ Cool maritime conditions with strong windsCultivation in the region’s marginal, cool maritime-like climate is difficult. The limestone soils warm up easily in early spring, with soils mixed with stones on north-facing slopes retaining the sun’s heat even at night, producing early budburst and leaving the buds susceptible to frost and strong winds. Early plantings in the 2000s saw mixed success, with some producers stepping away.Yet these same conditions define Waitaki’s potential. Persistent winds naturally limit yields, while the extended growing season allows for slow, even ripening, preserving acidity and building flavour. The resulting wines show concentration, structure, tension, and clarity. Today, with just around 50 hectares under vine, the region has settled into a focused identity as a boutique, high-quality “diamond” within New Zealand wine, and has been recognized under the Waitaki Valley GI since 2018.Q WINE: Expression of PlaceQ WINE was among the early entrants to the region and is one of the few to have remained and thrived. Co-founders Jules Stephan and Jules Matthews, both with backgrounds in investment banking, shared a long-standing passion for wine. Stephan developed a particular affinity for Pinot Noir, while Matthews was drawn to the broader experience of food, wine, and travel.When the opportunity arose for Stephan to acquire land in Waitaki Valley in 2003, Matthews joined, playing a central role in the winery’s development from the outset.The vineyard was established in 2005, comprising a small, terraced site of approximately six hectares, planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. The estate produced its first vintage in 2010, with the focus on capturing the character of this specific place.Today, the estate produces around 2,500 dozen annually with placements in well-known restaurants throughout New Zealand, earning recognition as a boutique, sommelier-driven, single-vineyard producer.The Meaning of “Q”The name “Q” reflects layered thinking.At its core, it represents a commitment to quality. It also speaks to the quiet beauty of the Waitaki Valley: a landscape that reveals its character gradually, through subtle detail, the experience in the glass, and the place it comes from.It carries a nod to Stephan’s scientific curiosity, referencing “quantum” to represent the energy and connectivity that shape both vineyard and wine, honouring a family tradition of innovation while maintaining a connection to nature.The name is also expressed by the vines themselves, tracing a shape reminiscent of the letter Q.■ Wine and WinemakingQ WINE’s approach is defined by discipline and restraint, crafting wine to preserve the character of the place, not to override it.Hand-pruning, hand-harvesting, and parcel-level fruit selection ensure each wine begins with integrity while always honouring sustainable farming practices.Fermentation is initiated with spontaneous wild yeasts, with cultured yeast introduced only if needed. French oak is used selectively to build texture and structure without compromising freshness. Wines are unfined and mostly unfiltered, with sulphur additions kept to a minimum.Behind the quality is the experience of winemaker Antony Worch and viticulture consultant Timbo Deaker.Worch, originally from Alsace, studied viticulture and winemaking in Montpellier, graduating with honours in 2005, and gained experience across Alsace, Languedoc, South Africa, and Central Otago before joining Q WINE in 2012.Deaker, whose career began in Central Otago in the early 1990s, has worked extensively across California, Spain, and Australia, and has been involved with the vineyard since its inception.The resulting style is defined by balance, clarity, and structure — wines designed to be immediately approachable and capable of developing further complexity with time.“Q WINE is crafted for moments that call for connection, whether with friends, long dinners, or moments of celebration. When people drink Q WINE I hope they feel a sense of discovery ... and feel connected both to the land and to the people they’re sharing it with,” says Matthews.About Jules MatthewsBefore wine, Jules Matthews spent fifteen years in senior roles across New Zealand and international financial institutions, where she first met Jules Stephan.A course at Leiths School of Food and Wine in London in 1999 redirected her focus, and on returning to New Zealand in 2003, she took on the role that has defined Q WINE’s growth ever since.As a qualified yoga teacher, Jules brings her philosophy of balance, patience and presence equally to the vineyard and the cellar.Left: Jules Matthews (Co-founder)Right: Antony Worch (Winemaker)Featured Wines#13471 Q Wine Pinot Gris 2024 (Screw Cap)Variety: Pinot GrisAlc.13.5％RRP incl. tax￥7,040Planted in 2005 (4,000 vines/ha), aged for 3 months in 10% French oak barrels; unfined. Aromas of baked apples are complemented by nectarine and candied ginger notes, with pure, rich fruit on the palate. 2024 was the second warmest and mildest year in the past 15 years in Waitaki.#13470 Q Wine Chardonnay 2024 (Screw Cap)Variety: ChardonnayAlc.14.4％RRP incl. tax￥8,030Planted in 2012 (4,000 vines/ha), hand-picked grapes were whole-bunch pressed, fermented in 100% French oak barrels, and aged for 9 months (25% new oak); unfined. A blend of white flowers, breadcrumbs, ginger, white pepper, and vanilla bean aromas express complexity, harmonizing with a long, minerally finish.#13469 QWine Pinot Noir 2024 (Screw Cap)Variety: Pinot NoirAlc.13.1％RRP incl. tax￥8,580Planted in 2005 (5,000 vines/ha). Aged for 9 months in French oak barrels (25% new oak); unfined. Aromas of wild berries and vanilla, with hints of forest earth and subtle spice. A Pinot Noir that combines freshness and elegance. Total production: 265 dozen.