From Waipara to the World Stage

Kim Schofield’s long-term plan is to transform the vineyard’s old winery shed into an art and tasting space. Supplied.

When Kim Schofield bought an ageing Waipara vineyard in 2017, she freely admits the decision was not part of a grand winemaking strategy.

“People secretly romanticise the idea of owning a vineyard,” she says. “The original idea was that it was an investment, but yes, there was a bit of romance in there too.”

What Schofield did not know then was that the property held some of New Zealand’s oldest living dry-grown, ungrafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines.

Nor could she have imagined that the small, slightly tired vineyard would be restored to life and celebrated internationally for both Rosé and Chardonnay.

A Pandemic Pivot

The shift from investor to full-time wine producer began during the Covid lockdowns, when Schofield started selling wine directly to friends.

“I would deliver wine to the doorstep and stand out on the street yelling a conversation. I did not realise how much people loved talking about wine,” she says. “Their excitement fuelled mine.”

Demand grew quickly. What started as a small favour for friends became a rapidly expanding business.

Behind the scenes, the vineyard needed urgent attention. Rising demand, restoration work and limited capacity created pressure the small operation was struggling to handle.

A friend urged Schofield to meet acclaimed viticulturist Dr David Jordan. She resisted at first.

“We were a little business. I said we couldn’t afford someone like that,” she says. “He told me we couldn’t afford not to.”

Their meeting proved to be the turning point. Jordan immediately recognised the significance of the vines and the seriousness of their decline.

“He told us we had the oldest living dry-grown, ungrafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines in the country. We had no idea,” she says. “Without him, the vineyard was heading towards death.”

Working alongside Jordan, vine health improved, frost management was strengthened, and the foundations for a new wine programme began.

Dancing Water became the first New Zealand winery to win three Rosé medals in a single year. Supplied.

The Rosé Revelation

Schofield originally intended to focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but as the team worked with the fruit, something unexpected emerged.

“We realised we were growing an incredible variety for Rosé. David understood it immediately,” she says. “And I wanted to make Rosé because my friends drank it. It is fun and joyful.”

Working with Jordan and winemakers Matt Connell and Dom Maxwell, Schofield developed a Rosé programme built on premium fruit, hand-harvesting and a level of precision more typically associated with wines created in Provence.

Their first Georgie Rosé sold out in three weeks.

In early 2025, world-leading wine writer Dr Jamie Goode visited. As he was preparing to leave, Schofield finally mentioned her ambition.

“I said, I have a dream. I want to make the best Rosé in New Zealand,” she says.

Goode tasted the wines, heard about the viticulture and told her she should take them to the world.

Soon afterwards, Dancing Water entered the International Wine and Spirit Challenge for the first time.

The results astonished Schofield. Dancing Water achieved a Gold Medal for the Blanc de Noir 2024, a Silver Medal for the Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2024 and a Bronze Medal for the Georgie Rosé Diamante 2024.

Dancing Water became the first New Zealand winery to win three Rosé medals in a single year. The only other gold still Rosé in the category came from a French label retailing at more than 100 US dollars.

The winery was then shortlisted for the IWSC Rosé Producer Trophy, one of the most respected honours in the wine world.

“For a tiny vineyard in Waipara to be among the top producers internationally was surreal,” Schofield says. “It taught me to dream big.”

In late November, Dancing Water’s 2023 Artist Series Chardonnay received a Gold Medal at the Chance Voight Aotearoa Regional Wine Awards, reinforcing that the vineyard’s excellence extends beyond Rosé.

Working with Jordan and winemakers Matt Connell and Dom Maxwell, Schofield developed a Rosé programme built on premium fruit, hand-harvesting and a level of precision more typically associated with wines created in Provence. Claire Inkson

Rural Roots and Direct Sales

Unlike most award-winning wineries, Dancing Water is not found on supermarket shelves. Schofield has deliberately adopted a direct-to-consumer online sales model.

“We sell direct,” she says. “It lets us keep the price accessible.”

With most bottles selling for around 25 to 30 dollars, her aim is to make premium wine an “everyday luxury” rather than a special-occasion purchase.

The model has also proved a strong fit for rural customers.

“It suits people who live outside the cities. They do not have to rely on what a supermarket stocks. They can order direct from us, know exactly where the wine comes from, and it arrives at their door.”

For many customers across the South Island, the convenience, connection and affordability have become key drawcards.

A distinctive part of the Dancing Water brand is its partnership with artists.

Labels feature work from Michelle Reid, Hye Rim Lee and Chloe Summerhayes.

“I wanted the wine to look beautiful as well as taste beautiful. And I wanted to support artists in a way that lifted everyone,” Schofield says.

Her long-term plan is to transform the vineyard’s old winery shed into an art and tasting space.

Schofield credits her corporate background for helping her navigate the complexities of business growth. While she acknowledges the wine world can feel traditional, she has found her place within it.

“I realised I could be myself. It did not matter if I was different. Behind the scenes we are as technical as anyone,” she says.

Her advice for anyone chasing a dream is simple.

“Create space in your mind. Take a few minutes before your day starts. If you clear your head, you begin to see the green lights in front of you. The ideas, the people who want to help, the direction. It is all already there.”

A Small Vineyard with a Global Voice

From a venture that began as a purely financial investment and evolved into a genuine passion, Dancing Water has become one of New Zealand’s most compelling boutique wine stories.

With award-winning Rosé, a gold-medal Chardonnay and a loyal direct-to-consumer community, Schofield’s once-quiet vineyard now stands confidently on both national and global stages.

“What we are doing is special,” she says. “And now the world knows it.”