‘Wines from here will become world famous’

from the road new zealand wine science

‘Wines from here will become world famous’

The Brancott Estate earlier today

The title of this blog post – ‘wines from here will be come world famous’ – were the prophetic words uttered by Montana’s Frank Yukich as he put the first vines of the modern era into the ground in Marlborough.

brancott monument yukich

There’s a monument to his achievement at the Brancott Estate. Yukich had purchased substantial land holdings in Marlborough without board approval back in 1973. He took a risk. The first Sauvignon Blanc vines in Marlborough went into the ground at Brancott Estate in 1975. Look what happened since! It’s a remarkable story.

Andy Frost, research and development manager with Pernod Ricard New Zealand

I spent my last day in New Zealand with Pernod Ricard’s Andy Frost, talking wine science, and specifically the science of Sauvignon Blanc. I also met with Andrew Naylor and Patrick Materman of Pernod Ricard, and Mike Trought of the Marlborough Wine Research Centre. It was also nice to have a brief chat with Wendy Parr, who was passing.

I’ve really enjoyed this trip. Yes, there’s been some fun – last weekend in Auckland was a blast. But I’ve also learned a great deal more about Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and the fabulous Marlborough region, which is a special place to grow wine grapes.

Mike Trought
A bird nest in the head of a vine at Stoneleigh's Squire Vineyard
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