The Story Behind Our Name

‘Otium’ Wine Estate was inspired by the Roman cultural concept of ‘Ex Labore, Otium’ - After work - rest. The Romans understood that ‘otium’ was a time of contemplation and self-realization - contrasting with ‘negotium’ - the busy life. For them, ‘self-realization’ could refer to a variety of things - from eating and drinking, to playing music, relaxing, academic endeavours and contemplation. It could be seen as a reference to that all illusive ‘work-life’ balance which is so often discussed these days.

Vines at Otium Wine Estate

It was the perfect fit for this place - which inspires anyone who visits to stop, take in the view, contemplate the vines. Andrew and Emily made Otium their home in the hope of creating a single-estate vineyard focussed on quality. They aim to produce wine in limited quantities to be offered as an invitation to slow down and enjoy something made with care - hence the resonance with this concept.

“We live in a world of ever-increasing digitization, impersonal interactions, screens, with less and less need to talk to each other. Otium embodies the human need to stop and take a deserved rest, to celebrate the small things as well as the significant.”