Episode
Vininspo! Podcast Episode 34: Judy Finn, Neudorf
- Podcast
- Vininspo! podcast
- Published
- Jan 29, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3543
- Processing state
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Summary
Pioneer stories always draw me in. No matter how niche the thing—and Nelson might still be considered niche—sticking vines in the dirt with no grounds for belief that your venture will bear fruit is a leap of faith to marvel at. Judy Finn says they got by on “hard work, high hopes and a dollop of common sense and cunning”. It seems a sense of humour—and of the absurd—played a part. Judy co-founded Neudorf Vineyards with her late husband Tim, back in 1978. She tells me the place was suffused with the pioneering spirit when they arrived. Their predecessors—many of German extraction, hence the name of the estate ( neu is new and Dorf means village)—had planted all sorts of things, and traces of instinct and ingenuity abounded. There was also another winery, Seifried Estate (established 1973), and Judy credits Hermann Seifried with being exceptionally supportive over the years. Neudorf is nestled in the Moutere Hills in the centre of the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island. It often has the country’s highest sunshine hours, while mountain ranges to the east, south and west provide rain shadow and Tasman Bay to the north moderates its maritime climate. This BioGro-certified organic farm has long been known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, while Albariño has made a name for itself as a new kid on the block. Speaking of new kids on the block, Judy and Tim’s daughter, Rosie, took over the reins a few years ago. Her mother and I talk about what this breath of fresh, youthful air has brought to the estate as its self-styled global cheerleader. Rosie worked in London alongside powerhouse NZ wine ambassador Melanie Brown, whose previous credits include working alongside Peter Gordon at The Providores and founding The New Zealand Cellar. Mel is now owner, founder and chef-…