If there is a wine brand synonymous with producing a large variety of wines that most New Zealanders have never heard of - it’s the innovative and brilliant Hans Herzog Estate in Marlborough.
The organic, single vineyard winery grows small quantities of Corvina, Vermentino and Saperavi to name but a few and this year they have introduced the never-before-seen-in-New-Zealand - Blaufränkisch.
This from Hans Herzog Estate:
Hans Herzog Estate introduces “Blaufränkisch” grape variety to New Zealand!
Blaufränkisch (Blahw-fran-keesh) also known as ‘Lemberger’ (Germany, US).
Single estate vineyard, certified organic.
Hans & Therese Herzog
Hans Herzog Estate, one of the country’s most beloved artisan wineries, famous for cultivating an eclectic array of grape varieties, releases New Zealand’s first Blaufränkisch. In his quiet and gracious way, Hans Herzog continuous to push the boundaries of New Zealand’s wine industry with new blends and new grape varieties.
The culmination of many years of dedicated and painstaking work in vineyard together with a never-ending passion and perseverance manifests itself in this small batch production of New Zealand first release of the noble Austrian grape variety Blaufränkisch with Vintage 2019. Parents (Blaufränkisch & St Laurent) and off-spring (Zweigelt) – all wines from an extraordinary pedigree, growing together in one vineyard.
The 2019 Blaufränkisch is from a purposely tiny yield of 800g per vine for a natural concentration. A highly refined wine, elegant and ethereal with smooth, soft tannings and savoury acidity, beautifully balanced. Crafted to perfection, demonstrating its heritage: single vineyard, hand-picked from the lowest yield. Untamed with long skin contact for intricacy and texture, natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts in French Barriques, no fining, no filtration. Matured on its fine lees for 18 months in barrel and 18 months in bottle for a hand-crafted wine, very much in the mould of a fine red Burgundy with an impressive and persistence finish.
With an authentic hands-on approach, Hans Herzog himself runs the organic 11.5-hectare vineyard, one of the warmest sites in Marlborough. A man driven by passion, wisdom, and years of experience, unfettered by commercial considerations, creating age-worthy wines of complexity, concentration, and balance.