Introducing New Zealand’s first Prosecco Rosé – Marlborough wine producer and grape grower, Balvonie New Zealand, is releasing the first New Zealand Prosecco Rosé, crafted from glera and pinot noir grapes grown in the Rapaura sub-region.
Founder Ben McLauchlan created Balvonie Prosecco Rosé after conducting a Nuffield New Zealand Scholar research project, where he studied how innovation in the primary sector can respond to evolving consumer expectations.
Ben McLauchlan explains, “Balvonie was established with the goal of connecting our land and harvest to consumer demand, so we’re always seeking ways to enhance the value of the grapes we grow.”
Through Nuffield, Ben met fellow scholar Maggie Jarrett of See Saw wines in Australia. The company has seen significant growth within the Australia market for their ‘blush’ Prosecco. Their experience sparked an idea for a Marlborough interpretation of the style.
“Our deep fertile soils have proven to be the ideal location for growing glera, but we also grow parcels of exceptional pinot noir. It seemed like a natural extension to combine the two in a new wine that will meet ongoing demand for quality rosé wines,” says Ben.
The 2025 Balvonie Prosecco Rosé is made using hand-harvested glera grapes, which are crafted into a still wine in tank, then bottled for a second fermentation, using the méthode traditionnelle technique, renowned for producing persistent and elegant bubbles. The wine is aged on yeast lees for three months to develop mouthfeel, whilst respecting Prosecco’s renowned fresh style, before a dosage of pinot noir is added at bottling to provide colour and flavour.
“Our inaugural Prosecco Rosé has a beautiful freshness. Its lively palate of strawberry and cream combines nicely with crunchy red apple flavours and a touch of praline brioche. At 11% alcohol, it is a naturally lower alcohol option,” says Ben.
The 2025 Balvonie Prosecco Rosé retails for $34.99 and can be purchased at www.balvonie.nz and select fine wine retailers.
About Balvonie New Zealand
The name Balvonie is steeped in history. The McLauchlan family settled in Marlborough back in 1859, with Ben’s grandfather establishing his own farm in 1935, naming it Balvonie, which is Scottish for ‘Farm in the Foothills’, as a nod to his heritage. That parcel of land has been extended over the years and, today, Balvonie New Zealand is an established vineyard and a proud partner with First Light Foods to finish grass fed Wagyu beef.
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