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About

Tamra Kelly-Washington

Tamra Kelly-Washington grew up in Marlborough, New Zealand during the region’s viticulture explosion. Spending school holidays working in vineyards and winery restaurants sparked an early fascination with wine and its creation for her.

Tamra holds a degree in Viticulture and Oenology from Lincoln University, her first position was in the laboratory at Seresin Estate. She then headed to California to join Francisan Estate in the Napa Valley. This was followed by stints in Australia’s Hunter Valley and Margaret River.

Following this, an offer to take the role of Head Winemaker for the Calatrasi Group came knocking, overseeing wineries in Sicily, Puglia and Tunisia. After a period as a flying winemaker in the Veneto and Abruzzo regions in Italy, Tamra worked for nearly 10 years as Chief Winemaker for Yealands Estate in the Awatere Valley of Marlborough.

Words from Tamra herself

The year was 1999 and I, a remarkably green university student, found myself travelling around Marlborough looking for the ‘perfect’ wine estate to complete my first wine experience. There was, of course, not the plethora of wineries that there are today and options were limited. I stumbled across this very quaint, almost old worldly winery tucked into a small ridge just outside of a small, rural town called Renwick. Immediately I was smitten.

A small, slightly quirky, fun team, great tunes blasting from the cellar, and small quantities of high quality fruit with philosophies in organic grape growing and winemaking. That first vintage at Seresin made such an impact that I knew from that moment winemaking was going to be my passion, and also gave me a drive to travel. It gave me a glimpse of another

world that I previously had not experienced. I liked what I saw! So I went to California and then to the Hunter Valley in Australia before coming back to Seresin for another harvest. Then I really had caught the ‘bug’ and was off for good – Margaret River, then Italy where I stayed for a number of years, in Sicily and then up in the Veneto.

I always looked back at Seresin and admired how, as the years moved on the philosophies were unwavering and supported by accreditations in organics and biodynamics. The wines also developed and beautiful Pinots and Chardonnays were being crafted, in styles atypical of the region, along with the aromatics, which I personally love.

Call it serendipity or sheer luck, I found myself, after almost 20 years, back at Seresin as winemaker. Such a great feeling! It felt quite special, as I could bring back my many wonderful experiences aboard in Italy, not only in wine and winemaking but also in life – food, people, culture. La dolce Vita!

Seresin Estate Winery

Inspired by Michael Seresin’s own connections and interests, we are a new world winery with an old world approach - we are in no hurry when it comes to our wines. We let the wild yeasts that live in our vineyard ferment the grape juice into wine. Working this way does take a little more time, but we get wines with added savouriness and with more mouth watering textures and flavours. They also show a unique sense of place. We let all our wines spend time in barrel or bottle before release. Good things come to those who wait.

Marlborough Wines

Top Seresin Picks

Seresin Estate MOMO Sauvignon Blanc

Charming in style, this MOMO Savvy B is filled with lush notes of passionfruit, tropical fruits and a touch of dried herbs on the nose. A palate that dances strongly, vibrant and balanced you'll find a dry undertone with ripe sherbet like acidity giving this Marlborough Sav great length.

Seresin Estate Zosia Organic Pinot Noir Rosé

The perfect drop for Rosé lovers. This Seresin Zosia Pinot Noir Rosé shows a highly aromatic aura with wild berry and ripe orchard fruit aromas. Highly aromatic that is truly graceful, this Marlborough Rosé shows purity on the palate with a highly textural and layered character. Brimming with Pinot Noir Rosé notes with a mix of orchard fruits and wild berries, this drop has a dry finish with a tension that completes the wine well.

Organic principles

Seresin Estate recently implemented organic practises in their vineyards and ahve become formally certified as an organic property by Biogro in 2023.

Seresins natural progression to advance to biodynamics was the natural step in the direction for this winery. Their estate is farmed biodynamically, not just their vineyards but also their olive groves, fruit trees and native vegetation.

The team are continuing their progression with focusing on each aspect of their biodynamic practice including CPP set up, biodynamic field spray preparations and compost preparations.

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