By James Wells
The new vintage of the world's best Sauvignon Blanc from Yealands Estate in the Marlborough region of New Zealand is now available in Australia.
The 2011 Yealands Estate Single Block S1 Sauvignon Blanc won the James Rogers Award at the 2012 International Wine Challenge for best wine in the first year of production and according to the owner of Yealands Estate, Peter Yealands, the award was a pleasant surprise.
"It doesn't come any better," Yealands told TheShout.
"Especially receiving the award after only five vintages. It made me very proud for my team." [continues below]
VIDEO: Click play on the video below to hear Peter Yealands speak exclusively to TheShout at ProWein.
Yealands Estate is the largest private vineyard in New Zealand with two million vines and a total of 1400 hectares. It is also the largest single block vineyard in Australasia with the Seaview vineyard representing 1100 hectares. Total production from the vineyard represents around 1.5 million (dozen) cases and the wine is sold to almost 80 countries.
Yealands is confident that this year's vintage will provide an even better result.
"This year's vintage is heading to be the best on record from a quality perspective, expect pricing of good brands to remain about the same but private label wine will be under pressure at current levels and is likely to increase," he said.
"[The Australian market] is challenging but very rewarding for those prepared to invest. We are very fortunate Australians love our wines, and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in particular."
Yealands Estate is distributed in Australia by: Young & Rashleigh (NSW), The Wine Tradition/Cuttings (QLD), Chace Agencies (SA), Off the Vine (WA) and Santé Wines (VIC).