In conversation with Michael Seresin, Seresin Wines

Michael Seresin is a world-renounced cinematographer who was worked on films including Midnight express, Bugsy Malone and Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban. He is owner and founder of Seresin winery in Marlborough, New Zealand. 

Michael Seresin

My first comment is the reason for choosing NZ for my vineyard and winemaking was based on the massive success of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, based pretty much on the early success of Cloudy Bay SB, which put NZ and Marlborough specifically onto the worlds wine map. We owe them a huge thanks for this.

In the early days of Seresin, was this a passion project or was its globally recognised reputation always part of the plan?

I would not call our vineyard & making wine a passion project. More a strong desire to grow grapes and make wine in the country of my birth. There is something magical turning grapes into wine. My early experience of the wine world, was based on our many trips to Tuscany and getting to know Italian wine makers and their culture & commitment to making beautiful wines along with meeting some of the more fascinating and interesting people I have ever met. Wine & the life round it, being the common denominator. Plus food too of course.

How has the Seresin style changed over time and what has driven these changes?

Our style(s) have remained on principle the same. Eg Our Sauvignon Blanc has always had a small amount of Semillon in the mix, to give more length on the palate, the percentage is vintage dependent. Most changes with all our wines, from SB, Chardonnays, Pinot Noir, and others have been driven by vine age and different seasons dictating any vintage differences. Maybe a major difference these days is in Tamra & Nick our winemakers along with Cameron our vineyard manager, picking the grapes a little earlier to give more subtle and refined wines. (Tamra should confirm this)

Tamra Kelly-Washington, winemaker at Seresin

Where did your new Beautiful Chaos wines come from as a concept?

Beautiful Chaos was driven by the possibility of making natural wines using Amphorae. A very old culture. We don't make very much of these wines. But so far they’re very well received. A growing market which is wonderful. I like the name too. As often mentioned, when asked why ‘Beautiful Chaos’, ... I say, there's both Chaos and Beauty in growing grapes and making wine. Very true.

What are the guiding principles that drive Seresin wines?

The principle driving us are firstly organic and following on Biodynamics. These two closely related cultures are fundamental to who we are, what we practice and our desire above all to respect the land, earth, and environment. Our 80 hectare vineyard, Raupo Creek is also home to hundreds of Tuscan variety olive trees, from which we press our olive oil. Then cows, sheep, chickens, ducks and a couple of friendly goats. All feeding into our Biodynamic culture. For me and us it’s essential to get away from a monoculture of grape vines.

An anecdote .. Years ago I had supper with Anne-Claude LeFlaive, voted the world’s best winemaker. I asked why Domaine LeFlaive under her had become organic..her answer, ‘If you can grow grapes and make wine without chemicals, why not’ .. a hard one to disagree with.

More generally, how bright is the future for New Zealand wines? Where do you hope Seresin sits in that future?

The future. That's a difficult one. Seresin is an oasis of Biodynamic grape growing in an ocean of mass-produced Sauvignon Blanc. We are the largest BD vineyard in NZ. What the future holds I truly don't know. For sure there are pressures on us as elsewhere. Maybe NZ’s SB world needs to reduce its dependence on the industrial scale of grape growing and wine making in Marlborough specifically. But I do acknowledge it’s a hugely capital intensive business so investors want a return.

Perhaps the most seductive element to NZ wines is that we are the new world and a strong pioneering culture is embedded within us. This leads very often to interesting wines not bound by tradition or habit. And drives some of the old world to emulate us. Praise indeed.

If your life was made into a film which actors would you want playing you, and why? And Who Directs it?

Film question. Tricky indeed.

Actor..Gary Oldman. I know him. He is not only a brilliant actor, but succeeds in many different roles and characters. Plus a lovely bloke.

Director. Pawel Pawlikowski. His films are stunning. Strong stories and characters combined with immaculate film making. Again I know him and respect enormously his intellect.

2nd choice if he was with us. My pal Allan Parker. We made a bunch of films together. We had a great mutual respect. But sadly he moved on. Maybe we’ll meet on the other side and make a film together? 

See all of the Seresin wines here