TRACEABLE, SUSTAINABLE, NATURAL, DESIRABLE
WORDS Joshua Brosnahan PHOTOS Supplied
In North Canterbury’s Culverden, you’ll find The Grampians. Since the early ’70s, this hill and high-country property has been run by the Reed family – currently on the third generation of son Jono, wife Sarah, and their three children. The Grampians is a stunning 3200 hectares of pure South Island farming land, from irrigated flat, river downs to high-country hills.
At The Grampians, you’ll find a blend of Angus cattle and Merino sheep. Every year, 5500 of these sheep are shorn at home, with their wool pressed tightly into 180kg bales and transported and tested for strength, softness, quality, and colour here in Christchurch. The main line of fleece wool makes its way to a processing plant all the way in Lithuania to begin the journey to become a superior garment. Famed merino brand Devold of Norway has embraced all things Grampians, and the farm’s Merino wool has been in steady supply to the Norwegians for three years.
Sarah’s latest venture, The Grumpy Merino, is a slight diversification from the already established Angus stud.
The Grumpy Merino’s role is essentially to complete the production line of Grampians’ wool with Kiwi businesses. The name is a combination of ‘The Grampians’ and Stumpy – the Reed children Hank, Greta, and Alba’s adored Grandad, who was very passionate about his Merino, the land and Angus cattle.
Sarah says she feels ‘inspired’ by the process.
“The simple fact that Grampians wool is grown from our flock can be identified to a specific piece of clothing or homeware. It’s also so important to us to maintain sustainable, ethical farming ways. Our blankets, throws, and knitting yarns are 100 per cent traceable to hoggets from New Zealand.”
Kiwis are no strangers to wool – most of us growing up with a hand-knitted cardi from gran or a merino thermal or two for the winter months. But did you know wool is highly renewable and biodegradable? As wool is grown, not made, every year, a sheep grows a new fleece for use. Wool products also use less energy than man-made fibres during manufacture. It’s naturally insulating and is ever popular as home insulation, retaining the warmth and reducing energy costs. On the same note, it’s an essential for regulating body temperature and has anti-bacterial properties.
The Grumpy Merino has recently expanded their offerings from men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing to include a range of merino wool blankets, throws, and even knitting yarn. The blankets are hopefully to be launched at the annual Grampians Angus Bull Sale in June at the farm on Cascade Road. For those of you not of the farming ilk, no need to dust off your ol’ Redbands – you’ll find everything you need on The Grumpy Merino’s brand spanking website from the comfort of home.