THE BALANCE OF THE FORCES – Here’s a little story about how an Italian man and a French woman found their balance, far from home. This is the story of Simone and Lucie, the team at Equilibrium Makers in Martinborough, New Zealand.
THE PEOPLE
Simone’s home is Piedmont Italy where he studied viticulture and oenology in Alba for 6 years (Umberto I State Higher Education Institute of Alba). After a few harvests in Italy, France and Switzerland he tried his luck in the farthest country from home. Loving New Zealand, he stayed in the Wairarapa on and off following the harvests of the Northern and Southern hemisphere. He gained experience and confidence at Palliser Estate, Pond Paddock and Colombo.
Lucie was raised between the cheese Comte and the Jura wines. She moved to Paris to study and work in advertising for 4 years. When she decided to try her luck in Australia, her journey took her to New Zealand. She had her first experience in winemaking at Te Kairanga, where she worked two harvests.
In December 2016 Simone arrived back from Switzerland where he worked as a winemaker, while Lucie was backpacking the country and had just started to work in the vineyards of Martinborough. Their story started at a barbecue on Te Muna Rd, Martinborough. With the experience and expertise of Simone as winemaker and viticulturist and Lucie’s background in advertising, it became obvious for them to start their own label. The French-Italian couple naturally settled down in Martinborough where they found the perfect equation between France Italy and New Zealand, and Equilibrium Makers was born.
THEIR PHILOSOPHY
Simone and Lucie strongly believe that “the character of quality wine begins in the vineyard”. Their grapes come from Pond Paddock vineyard on Te Muna Rd. They have been managing the vineyard since 2015. They put a great deal of effort into the management of the vineyard with the aim of producing the best possible fruit in an efficient and sustainable way. No harmful chemicals are used only a lot of hard work. It is a year-round task and each vine is touched by our hands several times during the seasons.
THE VINEYARD
The Te Muna valley is located 7km out of Martinborough, it is only a little drive from town. You can also reach Te Muna road by the Rapaki walk which offer spectacular views of Te Muna valley and the Wairarapa valley. The first vineyard was planted in 1989 by Ian Campbell. The Pond Paddock vines were planted in 2000. They grow & produce Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Te Muna means secret or special place in Maori. Certainly a special place but not really a secret any more. The valley was formed between 100,000 to 300,000 years ago when the Huangarua River shifted position and created a very particular soil conducive to growing vines. The first layer of loam is composed of sand, silt and clay. The clay contains a moderate amount of water and nutrients. The second and very deep layer of alluvial gravel ensures an exceptional drainage. The perfect balance to nurture and produce premium quality, healthy vines, and excellent high quality wines.
THE WINES
Equilibrium Makers wines are honest wines, made to be enjoyed anytime and with good company and good food.
Simone and Lucie currently have three wines in their Equilibrium Makers portfolio, 2023 Chardonnay, 2024 Pinot Noir Rose and 2022 Pinot Noir. A fourth wine is to be released soon, the 2023 ‘Lunika’ Chardonnay, celebrating their daughter’s birth date.
I first learned about Equilibrium back in 2022 when they launched and released the first wines (see my notes below) I tasted and reviewed the current four wines recently, and was impressed with them all.
To find out more about Simone & Lucie’s wines and purchase them online visit: https://www.equilibriummakers.com/
JB’s Notes
Equilibrium Makers Chardonnay 2023, Te Muna, Martinborough NZ
Shiny pale straw-gold in colour, medium bodied. A fresh & enticing nose, with ripe stone-fruit, apple & lemon citrus aromas, then notes of vanilla biscuit, & spice.
On the palate it’s creamy & textural, flavours of juicy peach, pear & crunchy green apple, a lively acidity, subtle nutty oak & spice all beautifully integrated.
A delicious & juicy fruit-driven finish. Excellent.
RRP: $40.00
Equilibrium Makers ‘Lunika’ Chardonnay 2023, Te Muna, Martinborough NZ
Bright, glossy gold in colour with subtle green hues, lovely oily viscosity. In the nose, intense aromas of smoke, stone-fruit, butterscotch & nutty, toasty oak.
A lovely weight & creamy mouthfeel on the palate, flavours of baked apple, peach & citrus, it’s complex & layered with a fresh acidity & lightly malo butter & barrel spice influences.
Moreish, long finish. 24 Months ageing in French oak. Excellent Chardonnay. Not yet released – Coming Soon!
RRP: $40.00
Equilibrium Makers Pinot Noir Rosé 2024, Te Muna, Martinborough NZ
Crystal clear, pretty pale copper-pink in colour, with light oily legs. In the nose, fragrant aromas of ripe stone-fruit, summer berries & cherries then a hint of fresh citrus.
Quite a concentrated palate with juicy, ripe apple & berry fruit flavours, a crisp acidity & a subtle mineral note then a mouth-watering residual fruit sweetness. Medium bodied with a long off-dry finish.
100% Whole-bunch pressed Pinot Noir with ‘no time’ on skins – It’s really delicious & super summer sipping.
RRP: $30.00
Equilibrium Makers Pinot Noir 2022, Te Muna, Martinborough NZ
Dark, translucent ruby red in colour, lighter at the rim. In the nose, lots of dark fruit aromas, blackberries, plums & dark cherry, subtle savoury earth & green herb notes.
On the palate, it’s ripe & juicy, with raspberry, blackberry & black-current fruit flavours, medium bodied with a fresh acidity, fine powdery tannins & a hint of spicy oak, all nicely integrated.
The finish is long, dry & very tasty. Excellent.
RRP: $40.00
Previous Tastings (2022)
Equilibrium Makers Pinot Noir 2021, Te Muna, Martinborough NZ
Deep ruby-red coloured, semi opaque, medium bodied wine. A fragrant nose of juicy plum & dark berry aromas with hints of pepper, spice & savoury notes. The palate has loads of concentrated cherry, plum & dark berry flavours & subtle oak, while chalky tannins & fresh stalky acidity provide great texture & mouthfeel; great length on the finish. First time I’ve tasted this & would love to see it again in a few years.
Equilibrium Makers Chardonnay 2021, Martinborough NZ
Pale yellow in colour with subtle golden hues. Fragrant aromas of stone-fruit (peach, apricot) a toasty nutty note & a hint of spice in the nose. On the palate the wine has focus on the ripe stone-fruit, crisp apple & lemon flavours, a grippy, tart acidity, nicely textured with just a little subtle oak & a long concentrated juicy finish. A lively fruit-forward Chablis style of Chardonnay.
Equilibrium Makers Pinot Noir Rosé 2022, Te Muna, Martinborough NZ
Pretty soft pink in colour with pale copper hues, medium bodied. Fragrant nose with enticing stone-fruit, red berry, cherry & lemony citrus aromas. The palate is nicely balanced with a crisp yet juicy acidity, flavours of berries, & citrus reflecting the nose & just a hint of spice on a long dry & very refreshing finish. My first taste of this wine and overall it’s a delicious, beautifully balanced Pinot Rosé.
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