Your Hosts
The Brae is owned and operated by Cromwell locals Brigitte and Paul Tait, long-time lovers of good wine, great beer, and even better company.
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When the opportunity came up to take over the cellar door in 2022 (formerly known as Scott Base), they jumped at the chance.
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They’re big believers in community, collaboration, and creating a space that feels like home. Whether they’re hosting a casual afternoon tasting or teaming up with local businesses to throw a proper hilltop event, Brigitte and Paul bring heart and hospitality to everything they do. They are supported by some epic staff that love to engage and deliver fantastic customer service.
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The Vineyard
The vineyard at The Brae has a long and local story, one that starts back in 1994 when Sue and Martin Anderson set out to build a life (and a vineyard) in Central Otago.
After nearly two years of searching, they found their perfect site: six hectares of sloping land overlooking the junction of State Highways 6 and 8, with the Pisa Range rising to the west and the Dunstan Mountains stretching across the lake to the east.
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They named it Mount Michael Vineyard and planted the first three hectares with a mix of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The first harvest rolled around in 1997 — the beginning of something special on the hill.
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In 2004, the Andersons passed the baton to a group of passionate wine lovers, including Marlborough winemaking legend Allan Scott. By 2005, Allan had taken over full ownership, and the vineyard became home to Scott Base Wines for the next two decades.
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In 2025, the vineyard entered a new chapter when Queenstown locals Brett and Hollis Giddens became the new custodians of the land. While they’re still dreaming up a name for their wine label (watch this space), The Brae has gone back to its roots, now proudly pouring Mount Michael wines, Scott Base wines, and a curated selection of Central Otago favourites.
Viticulture
Originally planted as Mount Michael in the early '90s, the vineyard was designed to make the most of its sloping, north-facing position. Over time, unused corners and terraces were brought into production, gradually expanding the vineyard’s footprint to just over six hectares.
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The early vines, including a small block of Mendoza clone Chardonnay were planted on their own roots. Today, we’re in the process of replanting some of those older Pinot Noir clones with more resilient rootstock and modern scion clones that are better suited to Central Otago’s climate and soils.
The newer plantings include Clone 5 Chardonnay, known for producing fresh, expressive wines with strong regional character.
Sitting right between two main highways, the vineyard is a bit of a landmark so we take care to manage it well. It’s a place that needs to look as good as it tastes.
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We’ve long held sustainable vineyard accreditation, and we’re currently working towards full organic management.
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