From France to Marlborough  

When the going gets pricey, the thinking gets lateral and that is how a French winemaking family from the Loire Valley ended up with a vineyard in Marlborough.

The family is that of Domaine Henri Bourgeois and family members first came to New Zealand in 1999 to make wine, with the main focus being on Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. This reflects the key varietals they make in their Loire home. They had been wanting to expand in France but the cost of land was prohibitive, which led the family to search for great vineyards further afield, retaining their home base at the same time. Their initial search saw them research South Africa, but New Zealand was decided on and it has since proven to be a win win. 

The family initially planted 21 hectares, which has now grown to 45 hectares and is planted on two main soil types. These are the stony riverbeds of the Wairau,  which are free draining and planted mostly in Sauvignon Blanc grapes, which benefit from stones absorbing the warmth from the sun's rays. The other soil type is called clay and this is home to most of the winery's Pinot Noir but there is also a deliciously concentrated, flinty and complex Sauvignon Blanc made from the clay soils and called, simply, Clay.

* All of the Marlborough grapes are certified organic with BioGro New Zealand. 

The French connection

The family has made wine in the Loire Valley for 10 generations. The key varietals are Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noir, both of which benefit from different soil types, as is the case with the family's Marlborough wine production. Soils in the Loire include what the family describe as a mosaic of plots, including Kimmeridgian Marl, Silex and Limestone Clays.

Buy Clos Henri and Domaine Henir Bourgeois wines here.

* Join us this November for in store tastings and a special tutored tasting upstairs (bookings essential). Call in to Regional Wines to find out more, to try and buy these great wines, all on special for November.