Sheep and Rabbits coexisted on the land for some time but the sheep couldn’t keep up with the nocturnal activity of the rabbits and were hopelessly outnumbered – they were driven off the land and were last seen heading north. The owner of the Rabbit Ranch – Mr McGregor tried a number of measures to rid the land of the rabbits at the turn of the century, but was unsuccessful. In the end he decided to plant some vines and make wine.
The vineyard fell into decline after the Second World War until direct descendants of Mr McGregor – Warren and Betty McGregor decided to replant the vineyard, and as they say – the rest is history... Rabbits still run wild on the vineyard and fuelled by high altitude Pinot grapes, some are reputed to be the size of ponies – but that could be another tall story...
The Rabbit is not so much wine as a phenomenon! With a cult following in its natural habitat of New Zealand’s best bars, wine shops and Central Otago ski huts, Warren McGregor is almost a deity and his every move or word is analyzed by a gang of bunny suited followers! Here at Stokes we are certainly excited by his outstanding quality Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris and continually delighted by his wonderfully nutty antics!
The Pinot Gris or White Rabbit is new to our shores so be sure (sorry) to try it soon, and pay a visit to their website or facebook page for regular bunny updates….
These are the wines, vintages and approximate retail prices from Rabbit Ranch we currently have available in the UK.
White Wines
| Label | Name | Size | Approx retail price | Stockist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Rabbit Ranch Pinot Gris 2008 | Bottle | £13.00 | Find Stockists |
Red Wines
| Label | Name | Size | Approx retail price | Stockist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Rabbit Ranch Pinot Noir 2008 | Bottle | £15.00 | Find Stockists |
Meet the winemakers
Warren McGregor...
- What was your first job?
- Me and Dad had to rescue Uncle Ernie from the offal pit after he fell in one day on the way home from the local – took a week to get him out.
- What has been your greatest wine and food experience?
- Hard to beat my Mum’s carrot cake and a can of Fosters
- If you could make a vintage anywhere, where would you go?
- Never been overseas and actually quite like it here at Rabbit Ranch, besides I need to look after my ageing father.
- Your proudest moment?
- When Rabbit Ranch Pinot Noir 58’ won bronze at the local Agricultural and Pastoral show – had a tear in my eye even!
- What would you last meal be?
- Lamb shanks, with lots of gravy and Pamela Anderson on tap
- What is your desert island wine (apart from your own)?
- Do you mean a sticky wine thing? – don’t like those – a bit poofy actually
- What would be your fantasy other job?
- Always dreamed of one day being a tank commander, declaring war on the rabbits and spending quality time putting some big munition into all the bleedin rabbit burrows around here.
- Sport: Round Ball or Oval?
- Don’t think there are any round balls in NZ?
- Who, in the whole of history, would you most like to sit next to on a long-haul flight?
- Remember I’ve never flown – but if I did - Pamela Anderson
- How would you best like to be remembered?
- The guy who got the Rabbits
For a stockist in your area please call us on 01256 897 640
Top five stockists
- Harvey Nichols, London – 020 7235 5000
- Wimbledon Wine Cellar, London SW6 - 020 7736 2191
- Weavers of Nottingham, Nottingham - 0115 958 0922
- The Wig & Mitre, Lincoln - 01522 535 190
- Caviste, Overton, Hants - 01256 770 397
