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Marlborough Wine Country - History
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Wine was first produced here in
the 1870s by a local farmer called David Herd, but the industry really began
in 1973 when Montana planted vines at the Brancott vineyard. These were the
first grapes to be grown on a commercial scale in the South Island, and at
the time there was no shortage of doubters who felt that the region was too
cool for viticulture. Yet, just two decades later, Marlborough sauvignon
blanc had wowed the wine world.
Hot on the heels of Montana came major wineries such as Cloudy Bay and
Hunter’s, as well as the smaller Te Whare Ra and a host of others throughout
the 1980s and 1990s. Today, there’s a strong French connection in the
region, with many of the local manufacturers of sparkling wines being
inspired, advised and sometimes partly owned by French Champagne houses. For
example, Champagne Deutz has links with Montana Wines; Veuve Clicquot
Ponsardin with Cloudy Bay; and Domaine Chandon, Moet et Chandon’s Australian
arm, with Hunter’s. |
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