Founded by the former Dry River team and led by chief winemaker Wilco Lam, Oraterra embraces nature’s chaos to craft strongly individual wines from Martinborough, New Zealand.

Oraterra’s founding team share deep roots in Martinborough’s wine community. After Dry River’s sale in 2022, the entire six-member crew united to start their own venture. Acquiring the one of the original vineyards (planted by Jack McCreanor), we have expanded with carefully selected plots around the Martinborough Terrace to bring a fresh perspective to the region’s winemaking.

Oraterra’s vineyards are situated on and around the Martinborough Terrace. All vineyards are managed organically with biodynamic treatments, and the wines are made as extensions of the same ideas and principles: health, connection and openness.  

“Our approach is about embracing the chaos and life that make wine interesting,” says Lam. “We don’t tame things too much, or stand in the wine’s way. We want our wines to show a sense of wonder, soul, and energy.” 

Produced by hand in very small quantities, Oraterra wines include Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. Their wines are sold primarily on allocation to members of its wine club, The Fold.