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With multiple accolades like New Zealand's Best New Winery in 2023 and Rising Start of the Year New Zealand in 2025, A Thousand Gods is an exciting winery to look out for. They are a husband & wife team making some of the most compelling examples of new wave New Zealand wines.
After spending a decade making wine in Cahors in the south west of France, Lauren and Simon Sharpe have returned to New Zealand to produce wine under their own label A Thousand Gods.
Their aim is to make wines they can call their own, both representative of site, yet in their own way, surprisingly unique. The name is inspired by an expression in Occitan 'miladiou' (mille-dieux in French). Occitan was the language spoken in the south of France prior to French, and certain dialects of Occitan can still be heard in rural areas of southern France today, although the language is gradually dying out. “Miladiou!” is an exclamation of surprise that can be used in a myriad of situations and an English equivalent would be Blimey! or Holy Cow! but it literally translates as “A Thousand Gods!”
Working closely with their biodynamic grower in the Churton biodynamic vineyards of Waihopai Valley of Marlborough, meticulously farmed grapes are hand-picked and undergo wild fermentation. No additions, fining or filtration processes are used. Instead, thoughtful guidance into becoming wines that are generous and approachable, yet also complex and cellar-worthy.
All their winemaking experience and talent is evident, these wines are poised and delicious.
