New Zealand Winery Brancott(R) Celebrates Its 30th Vintage

PURCHASE, N.Y., March 16 - Brancott, the New Zealand winery that introduced the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc style to the world, is celebrating the release of its 30th vintage, which is expected on shelves this October. The rise of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, acknowledged as the only new world wine style to have originated in the twentieth century, stands as a testament to Brancott’s pioneering spirit and acute awareness of developing tastes.

When Brancott planted the first vines of Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough in the 1970s, it would have been impossible to predict the emergence of such a popular style from a country that was considered to have only limited winemaking potential. “The release of Brancott’s first vintage of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in 1979 was the beginning of a phenomenon which has not only placed New Zealand firmly on the international map, but has also become the basis for the New Zealand wine industry’s world-wide reputation,” said Chief Winemaker Jeff Clarke.

In the early 1970s when Brancott introduced Sauvignon Blanc grapes to Marlborough, the region was known for its sheep farms and fruit trees. The first vineyards planted, Brancott and Fairhall, were in what turned out to be the perfect location for growing grapes. Marlborough is the sunniest part of New Zealand, but the area’s location, nestled among snow-capped mountain peaks, causes sharp temperature drops at night. This high diurnal temperature variation locks in unusually high levels of acidity, without compromising flavor development. The resulting wines, now enjoyed in 30 countries across the world, are known for their light body and crisp acidity, with full tropical and green fruit intensity.

Brancott’s wines moved quickly to the international stage: Within ten years of its first vintage, Brancott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc won the prestigious ‘Marquis de Goulaine trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc’ at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London. Additional prestigious accolades followed, including an ‘Intervin International Award for Wine Achievement’ in 1991 and the ‘White Winemaker of the Year Award’ at the London International Wine Competition, earned by Chief Winemaker Jeff Clarke in 1999.

Celebrations are planned throughout the year in New Zealand to mark this pivotal vintage, including the unveiling of a special commemorative monument at the iconic Brancott Estate Vineyard in Blenheim.

Brancott’s portfolio combines the latest, refined vintages of the early benchmark wines with bold new wines that showcase subtle variations between and even within regions. The Brancott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Reserve and Letter series have been joined by the Terroir Series, a trio of limited release wines that showcase the influence of terroir on a single varietal. Today, Brancott Sauvignon Blanc is known around the world for pioneering the Marlborough style.

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