New Zealand
New Zealand has a largely maritime climate, although its elongated geography produces considerable regional variation from north to south. Like many other New World wines, New Zealand wine is usually produced and labelled as single varietal wines, or if blended, winemakers list the varietal components on the label. New Zealand is best known for its Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and more recently its dense, concentrated Pinot Noir from Marlborough, Martinborough and Central Otago.
Brands
Clos Henri
Clos Henri is an exciting new vineyard development in Marlborough New Zealand, begun by the internationally recognized winemaking family, HENRI BOURGEOIS of Sancerre, France. Clos Henri’s objective is to create unique and exceptional wines following the traditions and art of Henri Bourgeois. Clos Henri plans to unite the history of French winemaking with the purity of New-World varietal character, thereby letting the family rediscover their passion for winemaking, while forging a new direction in an unspoiled land.
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Felton Road
Felton Road is a small, artisan producer of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. Established in 1991, and investing heavily in meticulous biodynamic viticultural practices (Demeter certified), Felton Road has quickly gained a global reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading premium wine producers. The four estate vineyards are all located in Central Otago’s Bannockburn sub-region. The winemaking maintains an emphasis on natural winemaking in a gravity flow winery: practices such as whole cluster, wild yeasts, and an absence of fining and filtration are hallmarks of Felton Road’s wines.
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Kumeu River
With a history of well over half a century, the vineyards of Kumeu River are reflective of the hard work and commitment of three generations of the Brajkovich family and those who have worked alongside them for many decades. The wines that truly represent the unique combination of environmental influence and the skill and dedication of the Brajkovich family of winemakers. Despite being situated well north of New Zealand’s other viticultural regions, Kumeu’s climate is kept cool thanks to its close proximity to the Tasman Sea, just 20km to the west and the Pacific Ocean 30km to the east.
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Nautilus
Established in 1985, Nautilus prides itself on producing premium wines from grapes sourced from its Renwick, Opawa and Awatere River Estate Vineyards and from a team of dedicated and specialist growers. In May 2000, Nautilus opened the first winery in New Zealand dedicated exclusively to the production of world-class Pinot Noir.
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Pegasus Bay
Rated one of the Top Five New Zealand Producers by The Robert Parker Guide (7th edition), Pegasus Bay is highly regarded as one of Canterbury’s top wineries. The Donaldson family have been seriously involved in wine since early 1970’s and were pioneers of local grape growing and wine making. Pegasus Bay’s philosophy is to grow grapes of the highest quality, which fully express the features of the vineyard, and to handle these with the utmost respect.
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Schubert
Schubert's philosophy is to craft wines of uncompromising quality that would stand out alongside the finest in the world. 14 hectares of wines are closely planted in the traditional, European style and the unique climate produces low yields. As a result they have been quick to capture the attention of connoisseurs and critics alike for their alluring, internationally award winning wines of outstanding character, complexity, balance and grace.
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Twin Islands
With only one label to its name, Twin Islands crafts a consistently good Sauvignon Blanc year on year, every year. Grown and made exclusively in Marlborough, New Zealand.
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Two Paddocks
Wholly-own by accomplished actor – Sam Neil, Two Paddocks is a small family wine producing business that is entirely dedicated to making great wine. Started in 1993 with modest ambitions and first planted five acres of Pinot Noir at an original little vineyard at Gibbston, Central Otago in the deep south of New Zealand. Dante’s Peak director – Roger Donaldson, a New Zealander planted the land next door, hence the name Two Paddocks. Sam Neil and his team at Two Paddocks are firm believers in the “terroir” of Central Otago and are bent on producing world-class.
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FROMM
Our philosophy places terroir over technology, and grap quality over quantity. We are dedicated to producing intense, concentrated wines. All FROMM wines have an uncompromising emphasis on texture and drinkability. We carefully regulate crop size, follow organic principles and are commited to sustainable viticulture.
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Valli
Established in 1998 and named after Grant's Great-Great Grandfather, Giuseppe Valli, who immigrated to New Zealand from an Italian winemaking background, Grant founded Valli with the aim of creating true representations of Otago’s subregions with unflinching intensity and purity. This was also a first for the region – no one had attempted to capture, let alone master the developing subregional plot that has now begun to unfold as the next exciting chapter in the Otago wine story.
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