Cheers to that - 40 years of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, thanks to Matua
It’s hard to separate New Zealand and Sauvignon Blanc these days, but Matua was the first to put them together, planting
the first New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc vines in 1969, producing their first bottle in 1974. This year marks the 40th
anniversary of not only Matua Sauvignon Blanc but also Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand.
Matua began with a vision shared by Bill and Ross Spence - to revolutionise the New Zealand wine industry by making
wines with the best fruit from the best vineyards. A philosophy that still stands today and has earned them
international recognition for their pioneering work.
Today, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has taken the world by storm with over $1.2 billion dollars in export sales* and a
leading position in both the UK, Australia and USA Sauvignon Blanc categories. Matua sources grapes and produces wines
of exceptional quality from all over New Zealand, with wineries in both Auckland and Marlborough.
Bill Spence, Matua co-founder and Ambassador says:
“We are so proud to have pioneered the wine that made New Zealand famous. When we were researching and grafting
different grape varieties back in the sixties we knew that we were on to something pretty special, but we had no idea
how big New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc would become.
“Prior to this, New Zealanders were drinking wines such as Pinotage, Riesling Sylvaner, and high alcohol Syrah, and
there were mainly hybrid grape varieties planted here. But we wanted to produce something classic and felt that
Sauvignon Blanc showed great varietal character.
“At first it was hard to market it as people didn’t know what it was and thought it was a white Cabernet. It wasn’t
until the 1980s when New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc really made its mark globally, particularly in the UK and by the 1990s
people just couldn’t get enough of it and this trend doesn’t show any signs of stopping!”
Matua Chief Winemaker and 2013 New Zealand Winemaker of the Year, Nikolai St George, says:
“The world has fallen in love with Sauvignon Blanc because it is flavoursome, refreshing and affordable. At Matua we are
about producing Sauvignon Blanc of exceptional quality at many different price points, we’re also very proud when
they’re recognised with global awards.
“To date, our 40th vintage Matua Regional (teal label) Sauvignon Blanc 2013 has been awarded three gold medals, across
New Zealand, China and Hong Kong. This follows up on our 2012 release which won a Double Gold medal and Best Sauvignon
Blanc at the 2013 San Francisco International Wine Competition.
“But we are not just about Sauvignon Blanc. Our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are also winners, having received a spate of
gold medals from around the globe.
“I am incredibly proud and humbled to be the custodian of Matua, one of New Zealand’s great wineries.
“Over the past 40 years the team at Matua has been up to a lot more than just making some of the world’s finest
Sauvignon Blanc. We think big, aim high and turn ideas into realities.”
Matua has set the New Zealand wine industry on an amazing ride - and the ride isn’t over yet!
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NOTE TO EDITORS
Matua wines
• Matua Regional Range (teal label): Fresh, fruit forward and utterly unique wines from our greatest wine growing
regions. We like to think of these as every day classics.
• Matua Lands & Legends (New in 2013): We figured that great wines and great stories go hand in hand. These wines represent premium
wines from premium wine growing regions, perfect wines for that special occasion.
• Matua Single Vineyard (since 2009): The pick of the pick of the bunch. These wines represent the very best New
Zealand has to offer, with small hand selected fruit parcels from our award winning single vineyards, these wines are
Matua stepping out in style.
*New Zealand Wine Growers Export Statistics by Value MAT to December 2013