Novum
Summary
Novum Wines is a boutique Marlborough producer established in 2016 by William and Rachel Hoare, focusing on site-specific Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from diverse sub-regions including hillside Churton Vineyard, Awatere Valley, and Southern Valleys. Operating as thoughtful négociants, the Hoares leverage William's experience as former Fromm winemaker to craft minimal-intervention, single-vineyard expressions that showcase Marlborough's terroir diversity beyond its mass-market reputation.
Heritage & Leadership
Novum Wines was established in Marlborough, New Zealand by William Hoare and his wife Rachel. William brought significant experience to this venture, having previously served as winemaker at Fromm Winery, a respected Marlborough producer. The Hoares launched their first vintage in 2016, positioning Novum as a focused, small-scale producer in New Zealand's premier wine region. Their operation represents a deliberate shift toward boutique production, with William applying his winemaking expertise to create wines that highlight specific vineyard sites throughout Marlborough.
Vineyards & Wines
Novum operates as a négociant model, sourcing fruit from carefully selected vineyards across Marlborough's diverse sub-regions. The portfolio centers on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from distinctive sites, including parcels from the Awatere Valley and Southern Valleys. Among their key vineyard sources is the Churton Vineyard, known for its hillside aspect and distinctive growing conditions. Rather than maintaining estate vineyards, Novum has developed relationships with growers who farm exceptional sites, allowing the winery to showcase the varied terroir expressions within Marlborough through their single-vineyard bottlings.
Philosophy & Practice
Novum's winemaking philosophy centers on minimal intervention to preserve site expression. The Hoares employ hand harvesting for their sourced fruit, followed by careful sorting to ensure only the highest quality grapes enter production. Their approach emphasizes gentle handling throughout the winemaking process, with fermentations managed to capture the distinctive characteristics of each vineyard site. The winery produces in small batches, allowing for attentive oversight of each wine's development. This focused production model enables Novum to maintain quality control while exploring the nuanced expressions of Marlborough's varied terroir through their single-vineyard bottlings.