Admirers of wine from Marlborough, New Zealand, will be delighted to know that the producers are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first modern day planting of grapes in Marlborough.
It was on August 24, 1973, that the Brancott Estate, formerly Montana, planted the first vines in Brancott Valley, marking the beginning of an internationally acclaimed grape-growing region and a New Zealand success story.
Marlborough’s high sunshine, low rainfall, and free draining soil were the driving factors in the decision to plant vines in the region. Many thought the pioneers were crazy, but the risk paid off.
“Fast forward 40 years and Marlborough is now a world brand” said Philip Gregan, chief executive of New Zealand Winegrowers, told Marlborough News Online. “Planting those vines was probably the single most important event in the history of the New Zealand wine industry.”
Patrick Materman, chief winemaker for Brancott Estate added: “At the time, the founder of what is now Brancott Estate, Frank Yukich, made the statement that “wines from here will become world-famous” – and indeed they have.”
The region is synonymous with world-class Sauvignon blanc and is adding to its stellar reputation with Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot noir. With 23,232 hectares of land planted with grapes, Marlborough is the largest wine producing region in New Zealand and makes up 75 per cent of the country’s total production.
Wine exports from the region are now valued at 900 million dollars a year.
So now is the time to take a glass of Oyster Bay and drink a toast to Marlborough’s winemakers down under.
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