Tuesday, 03 December 2024 15:25

Fizz for Christmas

Written by  Staff Reporters

The 2023 Balvonie Prosecco has been a three-year project for owners Ben and Helen McLauchlan, who have released Marlborough's first prosecco from Glera grapes, planted in the Rapaura sub-region.

"Global prosecco sales have boomed in the last decade," says Ben. "We wanted to try something different, so we gave it a nudge."

The Glera grapes come from vine cuttings imported from Italy, then propagated by Ormond Nurseries in Marlborough.

Marcus Wickham, Ormond Nurseries General Manager, says after watching the global growth in prosecco sales, they wanted to explore its potential in New Zealand.

"I believe Glera is well suited to our growing conditions: the long, cool ripening period allows full flavour development, and the vine is vigorous, producing a good crop load."

Read more about Balvonie in the December 2023 Winegrower.


 Read More


More like this

Lifetime Achievement

Ormond Nurseries founders Ben and Frances Wickham, climate scientist Rob Agnew, and New Zealand sparkling wine pioneers Daniel and Adele Le Brun were presented Wine Marlborough Lifetime Achievement Awards at The Marlborough Wine Show Celebration Lunch in October.

Conference Scholarship

Organic Winegrowing New Zealand is partnering with the New Zealand Horticentre Charitable Trust to offer up to 10 scholarships for the Organic & Biodynamic Winegrowing Conference in Marlborough on 16-18 June.

Stanmore Farm

Stanmore Farm featured on Hyundai Country Calendar in October, giving insights into the Kāpiti Coast family business supplying commercial vineyards with baby vines.

Vineyard Monitoring Report

Lower yields and a reduced grape price for Sauvignon Blanc, along with a 6% rise in operating expenses, saw a major fall in profitability in the Marlborough vineyard model in 2023/2024.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Popular Reads