Let’s say you’re a talented winemaker and you’ve got access to some really fantastic grapes but you just don’t have the resources to build your own winery? You could fight for some space in a large cooperative facility, however that situation is hardly ideal, especially if you want to make your wines ‘organically’ or naturally.
Well, if you’re in Marlborough, that problem might just now be solved with the announcement that one of New Zealand’s pioneering organic wineries, Seresin Estate, has been sold to old mates from wine school, Ben Glover and Rhyan Wardman. They want to open the doors to small producers to use their facilities and create a hub of organic awesomeness. Recognising that a lot of what we wine drinkers see from Marlborough is very ‘samey’, they want the facility to be used by winemakers who challenge the boundaries and want to show how diverse Marlborough wine can be. Interestingly Rhyan Wardman began his winemaking career as the inaugural assistant winemaker at Seresin Estate in the 90s, so this new venture sees him come full circle.
Ben Glover says their new winery, aptly named ‘The Coterie’, will allow winemakers without a facility of their own, to make wine in an environment that celebrates diversity and allows them to be completely in control of producing of their own wines. In future The Coterie will also provide a space for hosting customers and visitors and in time, Ben and Rhyan hope it’ll become a meeting space and workshop for Marlborough wine producers to develop ideas and collaborate.
“While I recognise that Marlborough needs large-scale winemaking facilities to keep up with consumer demand for our Sauvignon Blanc, both Rhyan and I intrinsically believe that it is vital to showcase the pure diversity of our wine region for long-term sustainability. Connecting passionate people, their sense of place, and single-site winegrowing is the key to showing this” says Ben. So watch this space.
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Huia Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017 $29 (5 stars)
Get ready for a total quince-fest in every mouthful! Direct from one of New Zealand’s top organic wine producers comes a dry, texturally rich pinot gris, jam-packed with poached pear and spicy peach flavours. The first sip brings on layers of fine, grainy, tongue-tingly senses which keeps you dipping back into the glass. Fresh as a daisy and intensely floral, it’s a generously proportioned pinot gris that shouts out to be savoured. Sip with lime roasted pumpkin and Caesar dressing.
www.huiavineyards.com
Seresin Moana Blanc 2011 $43 (4.5 stars)
Moana is one of Marlborough’s best-kept sparkling secrets. A 100% organic & biodynamically-grown blend of 59% chardonnay and 41% pinot noir that’s been aged for 3 years on its yeast lees, it has a soft, nutty, yeasty fragrance of rising dough and cream cheese. A lick of lemon adds an extra layer of loveliness. Sourced predominantly from Seresin’s stony, alluvial ‘Noa’ vineyard, with a splash of fruit grown on the clay soils of their ‘Raupo’ vineyard, this is an elegantly structured sparkles with serious feel-good factor.
www.seresin.co.nz
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Wildcard wines for the week
Aronui Single Vineyard Nelson Albariño 2016 $22.45 (4 stars)
The name ‘Aronui’ derives from ancient Māori mythology about the pursuit of knowledge and after a glass or two, you’ll definitely be schooled up on albariño’s awesomeness. Widely planted in northwest Spain and Portugal, it’s recognised as their best and most fashionable white grape – similar to sauvignon blanc for us I guess. I love the stonefruit and citrus flavours combined with zesty acidity, magic minerality and a kick of elderflower.
www.aronuiwines.co.nz
Godelia Viernes Bierzo Mencía 2013 $26 (4.5 stars)
Crafted by Josep Serra and Olga Verde, this hand harvested little mencía (pronounced ‘men-thee-aah) erupts with florals and spice and hedgerow fruits on the nose. Yet on the palate it immediately calms down into a smooth, soft sip with suede-like texture, alongside a hint of salt, mushroom and mineral notes combine with earthy layers to create a fleshy, lithe wine. Grown in Spain’s Bierzo D.O, mencia is a slippery, saucy treat that’ll win over even the most hardened, anti-red wine person.
www.planetwine.co.nz
Coopers Creek Single Barrel Select Vineyards Gisborne Vermentino 2017 $20.90 (4 stars)
Vermentino is the signature white wine of the Italian Island of Sardinia – but it hitched a ride over to Godzone and set up it’s own happy casa in Gisborne. Dry yet generously layered with apple, lemon and white peach, aromas of sea breezes and crushed shells, it’s crisp, tangy, rich and it absolutely sings out for Chinese lemon chicken – SO good!!
