ROOTED IN THE LAND
From the hills of the Coromandel Peninsula, where I spent my childhood overlooking the rugged coast, to the sprawling landscapes of the Wairarapa, my journey as a huntress has been shaped by the profound connection between the land and the sustenance it provides. Growing up on a sheep and beef farm, my whānau instilled in me a deep reverence for the land's intricate balance and a profound awareness of the relationship between the food we consume and the earth from which it springs from.
My father's dedication to raising homegrown beef, lamb, and pork, paired with his meticulous tending of flourishing vegetable gardens, taught me the importance of stewardship and the cycles of life. Under my grandfather's guidance, I learned the ancient practices of net fishing for flounder and trawling for Kahawai, forging an unbreakable bond between myself and the wild.
EMBRACING THE HUNTERS CALL
As the years passed, my path led me to the heart of the Wairarapa, a land rich in history and tradition. It was here that my passion for hunting truly took flight, and my journey continues with newfound strength and purpose. Hunting is more than a pursuit; it is a way to honour the land and the delicate balance that sustains it. In my quest to provide my whānau with precious and nutritious resources, I target species that cause havoc our native ecosystems. This practice serves not only to gather sustenance but also to restore harmony to the land and myself, allowing flora, fauna and me, time to rest, restore and regenerate.
THE PATH OF A HUNTRESS
Through the lens of a huntress, I discovered a profound connection between the land, the food we consume, and the wines that grace our tables. With each bottle of Huntress wine, I pay homage to indigenous food-growing practices adapted to the unique environments of Aotearoa. I am guided by the rhythms of the land, working in harmony with natural processes to create wines that embody the very spirit of our rich terroir. As I continue on this journey, I wish to honour the intricate dance of life cycles, seasons, and our place within them. We, as humans, are inextricably linked to the land, and it is our collective duty to cultivate and care for it in turn. Huntress Wines is not only a reflection of this connection but a celebration of the symbiotic relationship between the land, the food it yields, and the wines that emerge as a testament to its bounty.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koe”- with thanks and gratitude to you,
Jannine Rickards - The Huntress