Saint Clair Estate was founded in 1978 by Neal and Judy Ibbotson. This winery is still owned by them today. The winery stands for consistent quality. Every year, Saint Clair wins a string of medals, and the winemaker regularly receives awards. In 2005 and more recently in 2010, Saint Clair was named the best New Zealand winery. Saint Clair is quite well-known in the Netherlands, and they are proud of this. Saint Clair specializes in producing top-quality Sauvignon Blanc. Saint Clair owns over 270 hectares of vineyards in Marlborough on the South Island and in Hawke's Bay on the North Island. The grapes come from a select vineyard with very fertile soil, gradually formed by historical flooding. This soil gives the grapes a special intensity. The grapes are carefully monitored during ripening and harvested in the cool of the evening at peak flavor ripeness.
The juice is pressed immediately after harvesting to minimize skin contact and juice deterioration. After settling, the juice is fermented using a select yeast strain in stainless steel. This preserves the wine's fruity flavor and freshness. The aroma combines tropical fruit with melon and guava! The palate is soft and wonderfully refreshing. The flavor combines blackcurrant with green herbs. Steely with mineral notes and a subtle salty note that lingers on the finish. An ideal pairing with smoked salmon or mussels. Truly another top-notch glass of Saint Clair.
