Saint Clair Family Estate Excites Growers At Tasting

MEDIA RELEASE 20 JUNE 2011

Saint Clair Family Estate Excites Growers At 2011 Vintage Tasting

Excitement for growers and staff surrounded the Saint Clair Family Estate new vintage 2011 Sauvignon Blanc tasting, where new wines were tasted following the successful selection based on wine quality.

The vineyards/growers producing the highest quality for Saint Clair’s small parcel Pioneer Block wines were announced at the tasting, as well as a grand trophy presentation for the grower who produces the highest quality for the iconic Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. All growers received three bottles of wine from their own vineyard, providing the opportunity to taste and compare with the best.

All Saint Clair wines are chosen through a unique quality assessment system which commences with site selection followed by vineyard management and continues in the winery, where 120 small tanks are fermented separately and then judged for quality by a panel of nine winemakers. The quality score awarded determines the wine quality tier, and also determines bonus payments to the grower. The very best wine becomes the Saint Clair Wairau Reserve and next, based on quality, may become a Saint Clair Pioneer Block wine.

Managing Director of Saint Clair Family Estate Neal Ibbotson opened the evening, thanking all growers for supplying grapes of exceptional quality for 2011.

“The last 12 months have been very successful for Saint Clair Family Estate, with the month of May being the best month ever for total case sales,” he said.

“Sales volumes have been strong across all ranges and price points, which have resulted in out-of-stock on some wines, and earlier than normal bottling of the 2011 vintage to meet orders. Based on the increasing market demand, we will bottle significantly more Saint Clair wine than in 2010. Most of our 55 existing global export markets are showing positive growth, including the higher quality Reserve and Pioneer Block wines at the top end of the market. Recent new markets for Saint Clair include Vietnam, Taiwan and Japan.”

Congratulations to the following growers whose 2011 Sauvignon Blanc grapes have made the highly acclaimed Saint Clair Wairau Reserve and Pioneer Block status.

The Wairau Reserve trophy for the best Sauvignon Blanc from Saint Clair for 2011 is shared between the Blackmore’s and the Sowman’s, with combined small parcels of fruit from both vineyards.

Pioneer Block 1 Foundation Block, Philip and Cheryl Sowman
Pioneer Block 3 43 Degrees, Mark and Kate O'Sullivan
Pioneer Block 6 Oh Block, Martin and Gail Goyne
Pioneer Block 11 Cell Block, Colin and Sandra MacKay
Pioneer Block 18 Snap Block, John and Cayley Blackmore
Pioneer Block 21 Bell Block, Peter and Kath Campbell

Saint Clair Family Estate is a leading New Zealand wine producer, providing exceptional quality at competitive prices at every price point. This is what drives profitability, growth and ultimate success of the family-owned Marlborough winery.

ENDS.

© Scoop Media