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Yealands Seaview Vineyard is exposed to some of the toughest growing conditions in Marlborough, high sunshine and billowing winds wind, cool nights and low rainfalls for a smaller, thicker skinned Pinot Gris of exciting intensity. Fruit from the relatively flat, coastal L6M block, provides a pure mineral elegance to the structural backbone. Yealands Estate» |
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She's such a special wine, that a distinctive hand blown bottle was designed just for her. Tempus Two is the definition of romance and desirability, elegance and finesse, all who have countenanced her endowments agree. Tempus Two» |
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An eminent Cabernet wine which can lay claim to coveted accolades such as Blue Gold Sydney International and Gold Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. Jacobs Creek retain South Australia's finest vineyards and aim to improve the quality of wine every year. Jacobs Creek» |
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Frank Potts established the Bleasdale vineyards in 1850, his eponymously labelled wine commemorates a legacy of innovation and resourcefulness. Frank Potts is a Bordeaux styled Cabernet which may contain varying portions of Malbec or Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc or Merlot depending on the performance of vintage. Bleasdale» |
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A vineyard of some historical import, Bernoota is the original block, planted to the Follett family homestead along the banks of River Bremer, two decades before federation. A splendid construct of Langhorne Creek Shiraz Cabernet, selected from old vines around the distinguished Follett family vineyard, perennially released to resounding accolades. Lake Breeze» |
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Tim Knappstein began his apprenticeship under the family owned Stanley Wine Company. Within a decade, Tim had won more than 500 show awards, gold medals and trophies for the premium Leasingham range. Riposte» |
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There's a single block of Montepulciano along Bird In Hand Road at Woodside in the northern Adelaide Hills, a warmer site with rocky, well drained soils, perfectly suited for Italians. The seaside influence of Gulf of St. Bird In Hand» |
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Grove Estate became the go to vineyard for esteemed national brands on the hunt for stellar quality Hilltops Shiraz, some very choice parcels of Grove Estate found their way into the winner of the Finest Australian Shiraz Trophy. Immediately identified by early settlers who planted vineyards and made great wine, the Hilltops are renowned for a unique confluence of superior winegrowing aspects. Grove Estate» |
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Earnscleugh Valley was the site of a gold rush in the 1860s, the industrious miners dug a watercourse through the valley which today serves to nourish the world's southernmost appellation of Pinot Noir. The Last Chance is a small scenic terrace, planted to a special Burgundy clone of Pinot Noir which yields a magnificently structured, generously proportioned wine. Two Paddocks» |
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Villa Maria possess the magic touch with Pinot Gris, regularly clearing international wine events of prestigious trophies. Private Bin has been included in the Decanter Top 50 Best Under £10 and identified as a Decanter favourite. Villa Maria» |
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A stellar achiever around the national wine show circuit, Wicks have claimed significant trophy triumphs for the excellence of their Pinot Noir. After a long family history of orchard farming and viticulture in the Adelaide Hills, priority was given to the establishment of choice clones Pinot Noir along the scenic slopes at Woodside. Wicks» |
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It was the great Cabernet wines of Bordeaux which inspired Bill Taylor to diversify from imports and retail into the highly fraught pursuit of grape growing. An ardent enthusiast of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Taylor had a keen enough palate and nose to determine that the most auspicious lands for Cabernet Sauvignon were amongst the idyllic rolling pastorals of Valley Clare. Taylors» |
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About Giesen - the Winery
Giesen
When the Giesen brothers, Theo, Alex and Marcel, planted their first grape vines on bare land at Burnham, near Christchurch, there were those who questioned the practicality of their venture
After all, theirs was the southern-most vineyard in the world at that time and Canterbury was not then known as a wine-producing region. This was 1981 and the Giesens were, quite literally, breaking new ground for the fledgling New Zealand wine industry. Ignoring the scornful words of those who doubted Burnham's suitability for wine production, the brothers tended their plantings of Chardonnay, Riesling and Gewurztraminer and were rewarded in 1984 with their first vintage.
The Giesens further emphasised their foresight by supplementing the vintage with Sauvignon Blanc grapes from Marlborough, a region which would become one of the finest producers in the world. The path they would travel would not always be smooth but their perseverance and the belief in what they were doing was to reward the brothers handsomely. In 1988, Giesen Wines gained its first export order, sending Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc to Margaret Harvey in the United Kingdom.
As it became increasingly obvious that Marlborough would evolve into one of the premium grape-growing regions of New Zealand, the Giesens widened their vineyard interests, purchasing the original Dillon's Point property in 1993. A year later, they had broken into the highly competitive Australian market, appointing Negociants Australia as their exclusive distributors. As the reputation of their wines spread, greater overseas interest in their label flourished, and in 1997, Giesen Wines were represented in the United States for the first time. Two years on, Giesen was in expansion mode, purchasing four separate vineyard blocks in Marlborough and building a new winery in Vernon St, Blenheim.
In 1999, sales of Giesen Wines in Australia topped 3000 cases per annum. A year later, total case sales had soared to 23,000, and increasing volumes were heading to the United States, encouraging Giesen Wines to appoint Dreyfus Ashby and Co as its exclusive distributor there. Success bred even more success when in 2001, Giesens' Marlborough operation was broadened with the development of a 300-acre vineyard at Dillon's Point, Blenheim, sales had doubled to more than 50,000 cases.
As its property portfolio expanded, so too did production, until in 2004, sales exceeded 100,000 cases per annum for the first time. With the growing demand for its wines, particularly in the Australian market, the company moved to larger premises and invested in a bottling and packaging facility at Christchurch, whilst expanding its winery and tank capacity in Blenheim.
Low yielding vines grown to a cool climate is what makes Giesen's wines so unique. Complex fruit aromas make them enjoyable whilst young, refreshing acidity gives the wines backbone for long aging in the bottle. Giesen produces a range of estate wines which aim for consistency of character and quality from vintage to vintage. This range includes a luscious, intensely flavoured Riesling, a vibrant, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc, a complex yet elegant Chardonnay and a succulent, fruit driven Pinot Noir. Most vintages produce parcels of fruit or batches of wine of superior quality. These are bottled under a Reserve or Single Vineyard selection label. This range also includes a Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The style may vary from one vintage to the next as determined by the season, however they will all display individuality and quality.
Twenty-six years have passed since the first Giesen vines were planted in the stony ground of Burnham and the doubters have long ago had to swallow their words. Theo, Alex and Marcel have etched their names in the legend of New Zealand winemaking. Ignoring all detractors, they have been steadfast pioneers of a now booming industry in which they continue to be leaders and innovators.
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