2nd May 2012
Vintage 2012 set to deliver exceptional quality for Brancott Estate
As winemaking is now underway with fruit from Marlborough vintage 2012, early wine ferments indicate vintage 2012 is set
to deliver exceptional quality wines for Brancott Estate, the original Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
While the cool wet conditions during flowering and fruitset led to a lighter vintage, the mild April weather, with low
rain levels and blue skies, gave the fruit the best possible ripening conditions.
Patrick Materman, chief winemaker for Brancott Estate says the 2012 vintage is without a doubt one of the finest
Marlborough has ever experienced.
“A late, cool flowering period delivered significantly reduced crop levels, and this in turn has led to wines of great
concentration and varietal expression.
Although the growing season has been the coolest experienced since the early 1990’s, very few rain events, clear blue
skies and lighter crops have meant optimum ripeness and flavour development has been achieved across all varieties.
As my team and I, with more than 100 years of vintage experience, taste the ferments from wines from all corners of
Marlborough - the Awatere to Wairau Valley, we’re excited about how exceptional the 2012 wines are going to be and how
far we have come since launching the original Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in 1979,” he says.
BRANCOTT ESTATE. Honouring our Marlborough heritage, Brancott Estate wines take their name from our cherished Brancott Vineyard, home
of the original Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc; one of the world’s favourite New Zealand wine styles. In 1973, Brancott
Vineyard was planted with grapes a decision that went against the popular opinion of the time that the South Island was
too cold to grow grapes. In 1975, Brancott Vineyard was planted with the first Sauvignon Blanc grapes in Marlborough.
This pioneering determination and skill of our winemakers and viticulturists continues to be evident in every bottle, as
is the care and respect for the land that allow us to produce each and every one. Brancott Estate wines are sourced from
multiple vineyards.
BRANCOTT ESTATE is committed to sustainable practices and is a founding member of New Zealand’s original sustainable winegrowing
initiative established in 1995. This programme has since transformed into Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand. All
vineyards and wineries are accredited under the scheme.
Enjoy Brancott Estate wines responsibly. www.brancottestate.com
Brancott and Brancott Estate are trademarks of Pernod Ricard New Zealand Limited.
ENDS