our history

In 1993 after a long search for the perfect vineyard site ex-merchant banker Martyn Nicholls and his family purchased and settled on a 30 hectare block of premium vineyard land in the upper Wairau Valley in the heart of Marlborough , New Zealand .

In the months that followed, the backbreaking work began, to clear the land and plant carefully selected clones and varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir that would become the focus of our wine range. Within twelve months Martyn's dream of his Saint Arnaud vineyard was a reality and over the following three years the vines thrived.

The final inspiration for our name came from Baroness Rothschild herself who was patron of the Wine MBA that Martyn was completing. At the graduation ceremony in Bordeaux Martyn was describing to the Baroness how he felt he had become fat from eating and drinking great French wine and food. The Baroness replied, "No Monsieur Nicholls, this is not fat but an image of gravitas".

	Grav-i-tas (grav'i-täs') is from the Latin word, meaning something that is of great stature, seriousness and elegance, and that sums up what we are trying to achieve with our wine. We are a company that does not advertise.

Gravitas wines have achieved spectacular success over the past six years and today being available in over 20 countries around the world.