In 1978, Neal and Judy Ibbotson, a pioneer in Marlborough, planted their first vineyard. For a long time, they sold their grapes to local wineries, but gradually the desire to make their own wine arose. To achieve this, they hired winemaker Kim Crawford, one of New Zealand's best winemakers. And so, in 1994, the first Saint Clair Estate wine appeared under its own label. Saint Clair has vineyards in five different districts in Marlborough: Doctor's Creek Vineyard, Awatere Valley Vineyard, Rapaura Vineyard, Omaka Vineyard, and Ben Morven. The winery also sells grapes to other local wineries, but only those they deem unsatisfactory. The wines are internationally renowned and appreciated both nationally and internationally.
Saint Clair is one of the pioneers of winemaking in Marlborough, New Zealand. In addition to many single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc wines, they also produce a botrytized Riesling dessert wine that excels with its exciting sweet-sour interplay. Saint Clair Godfrey's Creek Noble Reserve Riesling is grown in John and Lynne Walsh's vineyard in the heart of the Marlborough Valley. Carefully selected bunches of grapes were left on the vine until late in the season to promote raisins and botrytization. The grapes were hand-harvested, whole-cluster pressed, and tank-fermented with a specially selected yeast strain. Fermentation was halted when the residual sugar perfectly balanced the natural acidity.
The aroma offers lovely hints of sweet peach, honey, pear, and yellow apricots. The taste is truly beautiful, with such ripeness and fullness. Hints of blossom, sweet yellow fruit, and a touch of honey and roasted nuts.
