Quartz Reef

Austrian-born Rudi Bauer is one of New Zealand’s premier winemakers and has been a force in New Zealand and international wine growing for more than three decades.

Rudi Bauer is a two-time winner of the New Zealand Winemaker of the Year award. Rudi arrived in New Zealand in 1985 with degrees in viticulture and winemaking, joining New Zealand's oldest winery, Mission Estate, as assistant winemaker.

While Central Otago may be most famous today for its dramatic scenery portrayed in the Lord of the Rings movies, Rudi is helping ensure it is equally famous for its sparkling wines and Pinot Noir. In 1989, he became Rippon Vineyard's first certified winemaker. The pinot noirs he created there sparked a pinot-revolution and led to an increase of wineries in the region. In 1990, Rudi made New Zealand’s first sparkling base wine in Central Otago. He was to first to see the huge potential that the sub-region of Bendigo offers for outstanding wines.

Rudi founded his own winery Quartz Reef in 1996. Quartz Reef produces sparkling and still wines of both finesse and power.

Reviews & Accolades:

• Top Wineries of New Zealand 2018 & 2019 & 2020 & 2021 – Bob Campbell MW
• Contender for ‘Winery of the Year 2018. “The method traditionnelle wines of Rudi Bauer are enough to qualify Quartz Reef in this illustrious group, the new Blanc de Blanc Vintage 2013 my best sparkling wine of the year, but this is supported by the other sparklings in the portfolio, plus great Pinot Noir.” –  Raymond Chan
• “I doubt you will find a better non-vintage New Zealand sparkler.” - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate