An age-old connection
Art and wine have always been intrinsically connected, says Dancing Water Winery owner and passionate art enthusiast Kim Schofield.
Art and wine have always been intrinsically connected, says Dancing Water Winery owner and passionate art enthusiast Kim Schofie
When Kim Schofield took on the challenge of restoring old-growth vines at Dancing Water Winery, she was, in many ways, taking a brush to canvas to paint a picture of the land and community around her.
This started with the wine itself. Kim, viticulturist Dr David Jordan, and the wine-making team were passionate about capturing the natural essence of the 30-year-old vines, treating each vintage like a work of art.
“Each vintage tells the story of the terroir. The vagaries of the weather, the condition of our soil, and the inspiration it evokes allow each year to have a consistent presence but with unique cues that mark the individuality of that year.”
Knowing they had found something special motivated Kim to widen her scope.
“I intended to just make wine for myself and friends, but what we discovered was a passionate community that loved our wines.”
Alongside the artistic approach to winemaking is Kim’s love for art and the community behind it.
“I really wanted to work with the local art community authentically.”
This began with Kim engaging with artist Michelle Reid to produce the ‘Art Series’ labels. Dancing Water Winery initially purchased Michelle’s original artworks, and she receives a royalty payment each year, which has, in turn, contributed to Michelle’s completion of a Master’s degree.
Local artist Oliva Barnes was also commissioned to paint a watercolour map of the vineyard and a charcoal drawing of the wine shed.
On-site, Kim commissioned master artist Wayne Youle (Ngāpuhi, Ngati Whakaeke, Ngati Pākehā) to tell the Dancing Water story.
The original design, destined for a wall inside the wine shed, features eight distinct laser-cut symbols, each reflecting different facets of life, culture, and nature. Among these, the kete symbolises gathering and learning and is a mark of acknowledgement of tangata whenua; the heart embodies love, passion, and energy; and the snowflake represents the elements and their delicate nature. Additionally, the Crown Lynn swan stands for individuality and family bonds, the amphora signifies sustenance and community, the wind captures natural forces, Gabby’s paper plane, inspired by Kim’s daughter, evokes travel and the spirit of youth, and the olive branch conveys nourishment, peace, and growth.
Since then, two pieces have been added, symbolising Dancing Water’s metamorphic transformation from a small, private vineyard to a product now stocked and available throughout the country and beyond.
Wayne’s work will occupy one wall in the wine shed, and Kim plans to use the rest of the space as a gallery, with “guest artists coming in to do pop-up exhibitions.”
Kim has also just purchased a new work by Christchurch artist Chloe Summerhayes titled Root Bound that will be on the labels of a new limited release Summer Series Rosé.
Kim mentioned her excitement about working with more artists in the future and hosting businesses and event groups at Dancing Water.
“We want to be somewhere where people can come to taste our stunning range and support local artists by buying some of their art. Art and wine have an age-old connection, and we want to continue that tradition.”
Other ways Kim and Dancing Water have supported local arts and culture include donating to the New Zealand Arts Foundation, supporting the Philip Trusttum exhibition at The Colombo, and sponsoring community events like The Gala and the Cholmondeley Children’s Centre Little Gems Party.