the not serious Nick Mills

On a Sunday afternoon on Auckland’s aromatic Karangahape Road, we welcomed winemaker, Nick Mills from Rippon to the newly christened Coco’s Sound Lounge. In town, for the annual Negociants New Zealand Fine Wine Tour, we were grateful that Nick could squeeze us in for a little not serious chat and a laugh or two. This one is for the winos but it’s also for the ski hounds and the musos.  

I don’t use the term Original Gangster that often but in the case of Nick Mills and his family they are nothing short of Central Otago’s OGs. 

This family’s contribution to their local village goes back four generations and covers sustainable farming, grape growing, winemaking, a music festival that spanned 20 years and showcased some of our favourite musicians and a counter culture ski movement known as Free Skiing. 

Much like the vines that grace the schist slopes of the Rippon site, Nick’s roots go deep. He’s a philosopher both by education and natural curiosity. He’s learned and deeply, passionately invested in anything he puts his mind to.  Had it not been for a serious wipe out just a few months before the 1998 Nagano Olympics, this well known winemaker could have been a well-known Winter Olympian.  He worked through that heartbreak and headed for France where his learnings and love for biodynamic grape growing really took hold. 

For a not serious chat, we definitely had moments of intense reflection much of which was inspired by the absolutely epic 20 year old Pinot Noir Nick brought along for us to enjoy. Between utterly delicious sips we learned about the parallel lives of a ski racer and a winemaker, we learned how to taste for texture and how, as the current custodians of this remarkable place, this family strives to secure their future on the land. 

And let’s not forget how much these mountain people like to party. 

So, pull on your one-piece, pop in your ear buds and tighten your bindings. This is the not serious Nick Mills chat. 

not serious wine chats would like to thank our supporters:
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Special thanks to my pal, Benj Brooking of Popular.nz for his help with the editing. An expert filmmaker, editing these chats is being done as one mate helping another. Thanks Benj. You're a legend.

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