Trudy Sheild & Blair Gibbs —
MIDDLE-EARTH WINES
Trudy Sheild’s rural background, growing up on a Hawkes Bay sheep farm has given her a very humble and down-to-earth attitude towards her work and life despite being a winemaker of exceptional talent. She spent 13 career defining years with Waimea Estates Nelson and became the winemaker for Middle-Earth Wines in 2016 where she immediately added a stamp of quality to the wines, with the Middle Earth 2017 pinot gris winning a gold medal at the International Wine Show in New Zealand.
How did Middle-earth wines develop into the success it is now?
Middle-earth winery, with its connections to the Tolkien legacy, has become a well-known Nelson wine label.
From its 2016 launch in Brightwater, the well-respected hand of winemaker Trudy Sheild has shaped the style and consistency for which it is known. Today, Trudy works with Business Partner Blair Gibbs to continue to grow the label and its reputation.
What is unique about your winemaking style and philosophy?
We challenge ourselves to consistently create wines with personality that are earnestly varietal. We aim to make wines that are representative of the region, and that showcase the excellent aromatics achievable.
Our wines capture the nuances and the big and small differences within the region. We also know that, while it’s easy to make good wine in a good year, it’s what happens in a bad year that really reflects the skills of the winemaker - which is where our drive for consistency really becomes important.
Tell us about the key people behind Middle-Earth
Trudy was head winemaker at Waimea Estates before taking on the role at Middle-earth. She is well respected, and her influence has been pivotal in developing the style of wines released under the label.
Blair has been involved in the wine industry since 1998, working his way from the ground up to building up an international wine business and has developed strong affiliations across the industry. He has been working with the Middle-earth brand for three years.
What are you working towards achieving in the short-long term for Middle-earth?
Our focus, for now, is on growing the brand, looking for new opportunities, and making quality-based decisions starting from the vineyard.
