The beautiful yet challenging environment of the Waitaki Valley makes viticulture demanding but yields exceptional results for winemakers. Clos Ostler’s story began some 38 million years ago, as geological forces lifted an ancient limestone seabed to shape what would become the foundation of modern Waitaki Valley in Aotearoa, New Zealand. 

Today, the valley hosts one of New Zealand’s most distinctive wine-growing climates, perched near the very edge of viable vine-growing conditions. The poor soils encourage vines to grow deep, while powerful winds and a cool climate allow grapes to ripen slowly, preserving acidity under warm daytime sun. This "stressing" of the vines produces low-vigour plants, yielding grapes that are lower in volume but rich in flavour, complexity, and concentration. Clos Ostler possesses the most active and limestone rich soils in New Zealand, and grows some of Burgundy's most revered clones establishing itself with many parallels to Domaine Romanée Conti.

Clos Ostler’s terroir offers a variety of altitudes, soil types, and microclimates. Paired with diverse Pinot Noir clones, these factors produce some of New Zealand’s most nuanced and complex wines—distinctive expressions that truly reflect this unique site.