Clark Estate is a true family wine company that believes strongly in honest family values, outstanding quality and prompt service. The journey began for Peter and Jane Clark back in 1998 when they made the decision to venture to Marlborough, plant a vineyard and live off the land. More than 20 years later their children Sarah and Simon have joined Clark Estate and their wines are now exported and enjoyed all over the world.
THE PEOPLE
Simon Clark is the Winemaker – his passion is making the wines for Clark Estate, in the beautiful Awatere Valley. If he’s not on the vineyard, you’ll find him relaxing with his two young boys, Adam and Charlie.
Sarah Clark is in charge of Sales and Marketing – Sarah loves connecting with their customers and of course sampling their delicious wines! Sarah is mum to a courageous young girl, Claudia, and she also loves traveling and playing Cello for the local orchestra. Busy but loving it!
Peter Clark is the Co Founder of Clarke Estate – Peter & his wife Jane, have been on this wonderful journey for over 25 years and it still gives them a buzz when they taste a new batch of wine. When they chose this land they knew it was special and the success they have had has been worth all the effort.
After long careers as soldier and nurse, Peter and Jane bought a sheep paddock by the Black Birch Stream in the Awatere Valley and established 20 acres of Sauvignon Blanc from scratch. between 1999 & 2002 they then set about learning how to manage a vineyard. To help fund the venture Peter would often be working in Wellington during the week leaving Jane to train the 22,000 new vines on her own. They would work together all weekend spending the night in our their caravan. The rugged life!
After two modest harvests the 2003 crop was completely destroyed by a late spring frost with no grape income for another 18 months and more travel for Peter. Facing the reality of the hardship operating a vineyard, they faced the possibility of giving up. However, the story took a different turn and hopes of realising our dream were renewed. In 2003 their son Simon joined the team after completing his BVO and working vintages in Australia, Germany and New Zealand. In 2006 their eldest daughter, Sarah joined them in the sales and marketing role. One of her main jobs was to organise all the freight and logistics of our, then, very small wine business.
They won their first major award! Elite Gold medal for our 2010 Clark Estate Sauvignon Blanc at the Air NZ Wine Awards. This was such a massive achievement for the whole family, after all the hard work and tough years.
THE PLACE
The Awatere Valley is home to the terroir which give their wines their distinctive and vibrant flavour. The vines are subjected to strong winds and cool temperatures creating the perfect conditions to mildly stress the vines and concentrate the fruit. Respectfully, their wine is created in partnership with nature. The part they play is to connect, understand, envision and make possible the potential each harvest brings.
In 2006 they installed fans for frost protection and begin expanding the vineyard to its current size: 10 ha (25 acres) Sauvignon Blanc, 2 ha (5 acres) Pinot Gris and almost 1ha (2 acres) Riesling. In 2008 they converted their entire crop into their own wine label. With 12,000 cases and a global recession we had to get better at selling fast. By early 2009 the gamble paid off with major new export customers in the USA and Australia and a growth in sales in New Zealand.
Their passion for making great wine, remaining a small independent family wine business, and the continued success of their wines on a global stage drives interest from major markets around the world. For more than 20 years they have also produced bottled wines carrying private labels owned or designed by their clients.
Read More: https://www.clarkestate.com/ourstory/
THE WINES
Clark Estate craft powerful, vibrant wines with an authentic sense of place at their family owned 32 acre vineyard in the Upper Awatere sub region of Marlborough. They have several labels.
Clark Estate is their signature brand, consisting of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, Classic Riesling, Block 8 Riesling (sweeter style), Sparkling Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Botrytised Riesling (dessert wine) and Late Harvest Pinot Gris (dessert wine).
The Clericus wines are crafted using grapes from the most premium sites and using only nature to ferment the wines. Each wine is made to represent both the sense of place and also the origin of the grape itself. Only once the wine is in perfect balance will it be bottled and left to age slightly before being released. The Clericus wines consist of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.
Gale Force is one of their export brands and is produced from our family vineyard in the Awatere Valley of Marlborough. Over the years they have produced Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Noir under the Gale Force brand and they only produce this label “to order”.
The Boreham Wood signpost represents their family’s long journey from the town just north of London to our vineyard in the Awatere Valley of Marlborough. The Boreham Wood label was their first label, which began in 2006. Every few years they produce and release varieties of wine under this label, mainly for export.
SHOP CLARKE ESTATE WINES HERE: https://www.clarkestate.com/shop/
JB Reviews Clark Estate wines
Thanks to Sarah, I’ve had the opportunity to try some of the wines. Here are my notes – (most recently tasted first) Cheers, JB
Clark Estate ‘Clericus’ Ferox (Wild Ferment) Pinot Gris 2022, Marlborough NZ
Glossy deep yellow-gold in colour, lovely oily legs. The nose is aromatic & floral with aromas of juicy pear, nectarine, ginger spice & subtle cashew nut notes. The palate is fleshy & weighty with juicy pear, apricots, manuka honey flavours, ginger spice follows. A fresh acidity, fine textures & subtle oak influence all perfectly in balance. The finish is long, unctuous concentrated & delicious! An outstanding Pinot Gris. Love it! RRP: $35.00
Clark Estate ‘Clericus’ Ferox (Wild Ferment) Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Awatere Valley, Marlborough NZ
Bright clear mid yellow-gold in colour, with nice medium oily viscosity. Immediate note of struck match in the nose, then aromas of citrus, stone-fruit, savoury herb & lees notes. A nice weight on the palate, with flavours of stone-fruit, pineapple & citrus, there’s a refreshing line of acidity, with wild fermentation, creamy lees & spicy oak notes. The finish is persistent, bone-dry with concentration & layers of texture. Excellent! RRP: $35.00
Clark Estate ‘Clericus’ Ferox (Wild Ferment) Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Awatere Valley Marlborough NZ
Bright shiny yellow-gold in colour, with a light oily viscosity. A fragrant nose with aromas of lemon & grape-fruit citrus, ripe stone-fruit, subtle savoury & lees notes too. Mid weighted on the palate, with tropical & stone-fruit flavours, a piquant, grapefruit acidity is softened by a fine velvety texture from wild ferment lees & oak influence. Long, bone-dry yet salivating finish with a little grip. Excellent!
RRP: $35.00
Clark Estate ‘Koromiko’ Pinot Noir 2019, Marlborough NZ
Translucent ruby – raspberry red in colour, lighter at the rim. On the nose aromas of dark berries, cherries & red plums then savoury, earth, herb & spice notes. Concentrated flavours of cherry & plum on the palate, savoury earth, mushroom & spice notes. Beautifully textured with silky tannins, a fresh acidity & fine oak all nicely integrated. A long, dry, very elegant finish. Ageing beautifully. Excellent & a fantastic value Pinot. RRP:$28.00
Clark Estate Riesling Methode Traditionelle 2023, Marlborough NZ
Light straw – yellow in colour, medium mousse on pouring, small persistent bead. A distinctive Riesling nose with aromas of green apple, lemon & lime zest & subtle nutty / yeast notes. There’s a zingy acidity on the palate at first, then flavours of crisp tart apple, apricot & lime flavours, a little minerality & grip on the long finish. A tasty & delightful change from PN/CH based Methode Traditionelle. I really enjoyed this! RRP: $32.00
Clark Estate ‘Block 8’ Riesling 2022, Marlborough NZ
Bright straw-gold in colour with subtle green hues, a light oily viscosity. The nose is very fragrant with aromas of oranges lemon pith, juicy green apple & a nint honey. The palate is concentrated & delicious, with flavours of freshly cut green apples, lemons & limes, a touch of honey follows. A crisp almost grippy acidity is nicely balanced by 43 gms/L residual sugar, 8% abv too. Persistent long juicy finish. Excellent. RRP: $21.00
Clark Estate ‘Classic’ Riesling 2019, Marlborough NZ
Bright clear mid golden coloured to the rim, lighter viscosity / body. A lovely floral nose, with aromas of limes & green apple with a hint of honey & beeswax. Crisp & dry on the palate, with a zesty acidity still, concentrated flavours of crunchy apple, lime citrus & a slightly wet stone / mineral touch. Long fruity off-dry finish. Aging beautifully, Delicious! RRP: $21.00
Clark Estate ‘Rosato’ Pinot Grigio 2022, Marlborough NZ
Pale gold in colour with soft salmon / orange hues, lighter bodied. In the nose, ripe pear & green apple aromas, a hint of honey & spice notes. Bone dry on the palate, crisp & textured, with flavours of sweet red apple & juicy pear, there’s a hint of ginger on the finish too. 11% abv – Made from Awatere Valley Pinot Gris, this is a tasty, dry. fruit-focused rosé. RRP: $20.00
Clark Estate ‘Botrytised’ Riesling 2022, Marlborough NZ
Medium gold in colour with yellow hues, ‘huge legs’ oily viscosity. Fragrant intense nose of honey / bees wax, citrus, apricots, spice & toffee apple. A luscious, very sweet & and concentrated palate, sweet ‘Xmas cake’ dried fruit flavours, raisins, sultanas, a good whack of fine acidity complements the 260g/L RS. A rich, creamy, complex & luxurious lingering finish – I need to try more botrytised wines! Just fantastic. RRP: $45.00
Clark Estate ‘Late Harvest’ Pinot Gris 2022, Marlborough NZ
Deep golden in colour with copper hues, very oily viscosity. A sweet & intoxicating nose with aromas of toffee, mixed dried fruit, raisins, marmalade & warm spices. The palate is opulent & lush with rich, caramelised / dried mixed fruit flavours, honey, toffee, quite sweet at 177g/L RS but enough acidity to balance it out. Persistent concentrated finish – Absolutely Fabulous dessert wine!
Clark Estate ‘Block 8’ Riesling 2023, Marlborough NZ
Clear straw-gold in colour with a subtle green hue, great legs. Lovely fragrant nose, aromas of lemons & mandarin, green apple & honey. Delicious palate with flavours of crisp juicy apples, tart lime citrus then creamy honey notes, the vibrant grippy acidity is balanced nicely with 43 gms/l residual sugar, & only 8% abv. sustained finish. Delicious youthful aperitif style Riesling.
Clark Estate ‘Penelope Jane’ Chardonnay 2023, Marlborough NZ
Bright medium golden in colour, medium bodied / medium legs. Aromas of fresh peach, nectarine & lemon citrus in the nose, then toasty, nutty & vanilla oak notes too. The silky mid-weighted palate has ripe peach, apricot & grape-fruit flavours, while a fine acidity & subtle nutty oak &a hint of spice add complexity & depth. Long, elegant & memorable finish. Excellent. RRP: $32.00
Clark Estate ‘Black Birch’ Pinot Gris 2023, Marlborough NZ
Clear pale yellow-gold in colour, light viscosity. Lovely fragrant nose with aromas of stewed pear, baked apple, sweet honey & baking spices. The palate has ripe pear, peach & apple fruit flavours, fine acidity is balanced with creamy / oily / lees influence & pear skin textures, spice & honey on a long, off-dry finish. Succulent & tasty. Great Asian food match! RRP: 28.00
Clark Estate ‘Upper Awatere’ Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Marlborough NZ
Bright straw in colour with green – gold hues. Aromas of passion-fruit, gooseberry & tart apple in the nose, a leafy herbaceous note follows. On the lighter-bodied palate there are concentrated flavours of juicy lime, gooseberry & white stone-fruit, a zesty acidity & grippy wet-stone, mineral textures adding complexity. It’s nicely balanced / integrated with a long, juicy & moreish finish. Zingy & delicious. RRP: $26.00