Rod Easthope
New Zealand
Rod's Wines
- New Zealand
- 5 wines
- 2 styles
A Kiwi wine superstar, now proudly independent
Rod is one of the most respected winemakers in New Zealand. He left top NZ wine label Craggy Range to chart his own course and make wines just for us. And he's never looked back.
He loves the freedom to make wines directly for enthusiastic Angels and looks forward to their feedback on every wine. Their support has allowed him to buy his own vineyard and winery to give his wines a home and live more sustainably.
Rod’s aim is to give Angels a slice of his unique corner of NZ, in a glass. He knows all the best growers and where their grapes are hiding, so only the best make it into his wines!
Vineyard Location
Rod Easthope's Story
Rod’s story
Ask Rod what he loves about being a winemaker and he’ll tell you “No hour, day, season or year is the same.”
He grew up on family vineyards in Hawke's Bay, where his fascination for the grape took root.
Once he’d finished his wine science degree from the prestigious Roseworthy College, he set off to make the good stuff in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, France and South Africa. Working his way up the wine-stained ladder, Rod became the Chief Winemaker for Rustenberg Estate in Stellenbosch and then Chief Winemaker for Craggy Range in Hawke's Bay.
But he hankered for the freedom to run his own show and make the wine he loves - regionally unique. By harnessing the best of the New and Old Worlds, his wines combine New World fruit intensity with the delicacy and structure you get from a cool climate.
So in 2012, he became one of the first winemakers to get Naked.
“It’s liberating to make wines directly for customers, rather than winery shareholders, importers, and distributors who remove the connection between the winegrower and the people who actually drink it!” he says.
Being Naked has been life changing for Rod and his family. Not only is he making the kind of wines he loves for people that appreciate them, it’s allowed him to buy his own vineyard and winery to give his wines a home.
What’s next? Growing the vineyard and continuing to manage it and live more sustainably. And with thousands of Angels behind him, nothing can stop him.
Rod's Archangels
Tonight we drink, tomorrow we ride!
