Grove Mill releases their ultimate expression of Marlborough

This month marks the exciting release of a new range of premium wines from Grove Mill - the 2009 Grove Mill Grand Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir.

These limited edition, single vineyard wines were crafted by award winning Chief Winemaker Dave Pearce, from exceptional fruit that ultimately expresses their unique terroir. As Dave says, “Only the best, only when it is the best and only when the wines really reflect their origins” do Grove Mill release a Grand Reserve wine

Nestled in the southern valley off Wairau Plain, protected from Marlborough’s legendry nor-west winds, lies Grove Mill’s 30 hectare Seventeen Valley vineyard, home of the 2009 Grove Mill Grand Reserve range of wines. This special vineyard perfectly catches the sun, is close to the coast and consists of an extraordinary variety of soils.

Grove Mill’s Seventeen Valley vineyard is also a place of cultural significance. A Pouwhenua was erected on the vineyard in 2002, commemorating the gifting back of several acres, some containing Pukapuka pits, to the local Maori iwi Te Rangitane.

The Grove Mill Grand Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009 is a ripe fruit, big style of wine with some barrel fermentation in new French oak barriques. Time spent on yeast lees built weight and texture to the palate and offsets the umami characters in the wine.

Hand-picked and with minimal winemaking intervention, the Grove Mill Grand Reserve Riesling 2009 is all about the high quality fruit, achieved by fruit thinning in the vineyard. Free-run juice was fermented slowly at very low temperatures to build weight and complexity.

Seventeen Valley typically produces big, ripe, styles of Pinot Noir with minerality. The Grove Mill Grand Reserve Pinot Noir 2009, using hand-picked fruit, crafted by using Paso-Doble fermenters and ten days on skins, is a succulent fruit forward style completed by nine months maturation in French oak barriques.

It might seem crazy to launch these premium wines now, during challenging economic times, so why do it? “There’s never a bad time to try and make great wines and if folks are currently getting their week day wines cheaply maybe they’ll spend a little more for something a little special on the weekend!” says Dave Pearce, Chief Winemaker.

Currently the wines are available to buy in New Zealand online from www.grovemill.co.nz or from the Grove Mill Cellar Door, Waihopai Valley Rd, Renwick, Marlborough. Ph 03 572 8200.

Company Contact:
For more information and/or photos, please contact -
Helen Wilkes
Marketing Manager
The New Zealand Wine Company
Phone: +64 21 964 743
Email: helen@nzwineco.co.nz