Winemakers On Fire, Issue #92

Welcome to this week's edition of Winemakers On Fire! 

From making wine in a garage in Croatia to crafting award-winning Pinot Noir in Marlborough, Eva Pemper's journey is anything but ordinary. This week's Winemakers On Fire spotlights a vintner whose story burns bright with resilience, passion, and cross-continental flair.

After clinching a Master Medal at the Global Masters Pinot Noir 2024 awards, Pemper is blazing new trails in New Zealand while honouring her family's winemaking legacy. Join us as we uncork the remarkable tale of a winemaker who turned adversity into excellence, one vintage at a time.

"My parents are my inspiration. They are very talented and passionate winemakers. Their love for crafting wine immersed me, on a daily basis, in something that sparked a passion  and led me to the path I am on now."

Let’s dive in!

Resilient Spirit: Eva Pemper's Path to New Zealand Wine Excellence

In the sun-drenched vineyards of Marlborough, Eva Pemper is crafting her legacy, one vintage at a time. The founder of Eva Pemper Wines has journeyed from war-torn Croatia to become one of New Zealand's most promising winemakers, recently claiming a prestigious Master Medal at the Global Masters Pinot Noir 2024 awards for her 2022 Pinot Noir—an achievement that marks her arrival as a significant voice in New Zealand's wine scene.

Roots in Resilience

Born into a Croatian winemaking family, Pemper's early years were shaped by extraordinary circumstances. Her parents began their winemaking venture in a garage during wartime Croatia, armed with nothing but unwavering faith and determination. "Making wine in a war zone is no easy thing!" Pemper reflects, her voice carrying both pride and poignancy. "My parents are my inspiration. They are very talented and passionate winemakers. Their love for crafting wine immersed me, on a daily basis, in something that sparked a passion in me and led me to the path I am on now."

This foundation of resilience would later become the cornerstone of her own winemaking philosophy. "Due to a few sad things that happened, there was no business for me to continue when I finished my studies," Pemper shares, explaining her decision to seek opportunities abroad. "So now, here I am on the other side of the world, committed to continuing my family's legacy and sharing our story."

The Journey to Kiwi Soil

For Pemper, New Zealand was initially a distant dream, glimpsed through David Attenborough's nature documentaries. In 2012, that dream materialised into reality when she arrived in the land of the long white cloud. "I absolutely fell in love with New Zealand and New Zealand wines, people, and places," she enthuses. Armed with a master's degree in winemaking from Zagreb and later adding a Graduate Diploma in Oenology from EIT Hawke's Bay, Pemper brought with her a unique blend of Old World wisdom and New World curiosity.

"I actually had no idea about the extent of the New Zealand wine industry or the influence of Croatians throughout the history of viticulture and winemaking in New Zealand," she admits. "I was looking at some seasonal vintage jobs in Australia when I came across some adverts about wine jobs in New Zealand and I applied and ended up in New Zealand in March 2012. It was a crazy journey!"

Blending Heritage with Innovation

Today, Eva Pemper Wines stands as a testament to cross-cultural fusion. Working alongside her business partner, who owns vineyards in Marlborough, Pemper has created a brand that bridges continents. "Having my family's logo for our wine in Croatia as the core of the Eva Pemper label is a super special storytelling element," she explains. This thoughtful touch connects her present success with her family's perseverance, creating a narrative that resonates with wine lovers worldwide.

Her experience in both European and New Zealand winemaking has given her a unique perspective on different approaches to viticulture. "In Croatia, there are a few bigger vineyards but most of them are really small vineyards on the islands, around the coast, in Istria," she explains. "Some rough terrain, lots done by hand only and very sort of traditional European winemaking. There are lots of Indigenous old grape varieties with unique expressions. As opposed to very modern New World viticulture and winemaking techniques."

Triumph in Adversity

The recent Master Medal for her 2022 Pinot Noir holds special significance, not just as the only New Zealand Pinot Noir to achieve this highest accolade in 2024, but because it emerged from one of Marlborough's most challenging vintages in recent history. "This recognition is huge!" Pemper exclaims. "It sort of gives you some more credibility to stand alongside some highly recognised brands out there. Receiving this accolade in such a tough year in terms of winemaking is truly humbling for me and gives me more confidence as a winemaker when making some crucial decisions in such challenging times."

Sustainable Vision

Pemper's approach to winemaking is deeply rooted in respect for the land, embracing the Māori concept of kaitiakitanga (guardianship and protection of the land). "As a winemaker, my vision is to allow the grapes and the vineyards to speak for themselves through the wine and to intervene as little as possible while crafting a delicious drop that represents a certain place in time," she explains.

Her commitment to sustainability extends beyond environmental considerations to include cultural sustainability and support for local businesses. "I look at sustainability as cultural sustainability, which is about people and the value of the region so supporting local businesses is crucial to achieving a great and desired level of sustainability overall," she notes. The winery sources grapes exclusively from Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand-certified vineyards and is transitioning to lightweight bottles and recyclable caps to reduce their carbon footprint.

Looking to Tomorrow

As she looks to the future, Pemper's ambitions stretch across continents. Her vision includes expanding her portfolio to showcase the best of New Zealand's wine regions, from Central Otago Pinot Noir to Hawke's Bay Syrah. But perhaps most poetically, she dreams of coming full circle—creating a wine from indigenous Croatian varieties under her brand and reviving her family's cellar door in central Croatia.

"My dream is to showcase the best of each wine region in New Zealand," she shares enthusiastically. "Another dream and project is to release a wine I would make in Croatia from an indigenous Croatian variety under my brand. That would be amazing! And to also resurrect my family's little winery and cellar door in central Croatia, to have my New Zealand wines available there as well as the Croatian wines and to also showcase and support some of the other Croatian wineries and winemakers too."

The Heart of the Brand

At its core, Eva Pemper Wines is more than just a label—it's a story of resilience, cross-cultural connection, and unwavering dedication to craft. Being an all-in-one brand—winemaker, brand ambassador, and storyteller—has allowed Pemper to create an authentic connection with her customers. "It is easy for the consumer to connect with and share the stories and resonate with them," she reflects.

This deep personal investment and clear vision have created something unique in New Zealand's wine landscape: a brand that honors its roots while pushing boundaries, crafting wines that speak of both their origin and their maker's remarkable journey. In every bottle of Eva Pemper wine, you'll find not just the terroir of Marlborough, but the spirit of a winemaker who turned adversity into opportunity, one vintage at a time.

Here's what you missed last week...

When you've spent nearly a quarter-century crafting wines from the world's oldest commercial Pinotage vineyard, you learn to listen to what the vines are telling you. This week, we sit down with Wilhelm Kritzinger of Bellevue Estate, whose journey from food scientist to celebrated winemaker embodies the perfect blend of scientific precision and artisanal craft.

Under his stewardship, Bellevue's historic 1953 Pinotage vineyard continues to produce some of South Africa's most elegant and acclaimed wines. From multiple Platter 5-star ratings to his innovative vision for the future, Wilhelm's story is a masterclass in the art of minimal intervention and maximum expression.

“I have had the luxury of working with some of the world's oldest Pinotage vines, a luxury that is afforded to only a handful of winemakers.”

Get ready to be inspired.

Until next Tuesday, keep your glass full and your taste buds curious.