Wine

Pioneering winery still leading by example

BY LYNDA PAPESCH | PHOTO CHOCOLATE DOG STUDIO

One of Nelson Tasman’s longest established wine companies Seifried Estate continues to cement its place in local wine history, taking out New Zealand’s top sauvignon blanc trophy recently.

The win is a pat on the back for the team at Seifried Estate and also for Nelson Tasman’s wine industry which has long touted its region as the home of aromatics. Seifried Estate was established by Austrian born Hermann Seifried and his Kiwi wife Agnes when they planted their first vineyard in the Moutere Valley in 1973, creating what was the region’s first commercial winery. Many boutique and family wine companies have followed in their footsteps. A major point of difference however has been the transitioning of Seifried Estate from a small to mediumsized winery while being retained in family ownership.

The Champion Sauvignon Blanc Trophy was one of two awarded to Seifried Estate at the New Zealand Wine Awards ...

Now with over 320 hectares of estate-grown vineyards over 10 properties in the Nelson Tasman region, Hermann and Agnes still oversee the business. However, it has grown into a true family organisation with son Chris and daughter Heidi both hands-on as qualified winemakers, while daughter Anna oversees the sales and marketing.

Key variety The Champion Sauvignon Blanc Trophy was one of two awarded to Seifried Estate at the New Zealand Wine Awards with its sauvignon blanc also recognised as the best 2019 wine from the Nelson Tasman region. Last year the same wine racked up a gold medal at the Austrian Wine Challenge in Vienna (the largest officially recognised wine competition in the world), scored gold at MUNDIS VINI in Germany and gold at the New Zealand International Wine Show.

The wins capped off “an incredible season” for Seifried Estate says Anna, adding that everyone there is justifiably proud. “This wine is a

60 Above: The Seifried family, from left, Hermann, Agnes, Chris, Heidi and Anna

reflection of a tonne of hard work, an amazing season in Nelson Tasman, and a great team who nurse the grapes through their time in the vineyard, then hand over pristine fruit to the winemaking crew to work their magic.”

Sauvignon blanc is its key grape variety, making up 60 percent of the company production, which is exported into 25 countries worldwide, including into Russia where there is huge demand, says winemaker Heidi.

Heading into vintage 2020, Heidi says the wins have generated a huge response with a lot of national and international interest in the sauvignon blanc, which she describes as restrained with tropical and mineral flavours and aromas, comprising a blend of grapes from various vineyards. Tasting notes say the wine is concentrated and flavoursome, with a nose of dried hops and thyme alongside fresh basil notes and passionfruit. The palate is generous with lasting tropical citrus flavours wrapped around crisp minerally acidity. As well as being family-run, Seifried Estate keeps processing in-house, not only growing its own fruit and making the wine, but bottling, labelling and marketing, which keeps the team busy all-year round. Bring on the next vintage!