Rabbits and livestock coexisted on the Central Otago sheep station for many years, but the four legged grazers couldn't keep up with the nocturnal activities of wild bunnies and became hopelessly outnumbered. They were driven off the land and were last seen heading north. The owner of Rabbit Ranch tried a number of measures to clean the property of rabbits but was unsuccessful. In the end, Mr McGregor decided to find a recipe for rabbit, appetizing to all, which would rid him of his rodent problem, while providing a suitable culinary match to his own, home grown Pinot Gris wine.

Being a mutation of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris revels in the same growing conditions which have made Central Otago known around the world for rich Pinot Noir wines. A long slow ripening period with cool nights and warm days, ripens grapes to the fullest. Rabbit Ranch was once a high country sheep station with an acreage or two of productive vines. The property fell into decline after the second world war, until direct descendants of the original proprietor, Warren and Betty McGregor decided to replant the vineyard, the rest as they say is history. Rabbits still run wild on the property, fuelled by high altitude Pinot Gris grapes, some are reputed to be the size of ponies, but that could be another tall story.