This Month we are visiting No.1 Family Estate in Marlborough where some of the very best Methode Traditionelle in New Zealand is grown & produced. For over 40 years, champagne maker Daniel Le Brun has had one goal: to make Méthode Traditionelle wines that rival the best in the world and to do it in Marlborough, New Zealand.
The first record of a Le Brun planting vines in France is from 1684 and the family still produce Méthode Traditionelle under their own labels in France. From a young age, Daniel was immersed in the family business there, but after studying winemaking at university he emigrated to New Zealand and bought his first block of land in Renwick in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley.
No. 1 Family Estate was established in 1997 and is Daniel and Adele Le Brun’s second New Zealand venture. Today, No.1 Family Estate is committed exclusively to producing premium Méthode Traditionelle. His team craft their wines in Marlborough, in the traditional method of his homeland.
“Here in New Zealand, we consider every year a vintage year, our grapes always ripen because of our marvellous sunshine hours”
Daniel Le Brun
THE PEOPLE
Adele & Daniel Le Brun
Known in the industry as New Zealand’s Grandfather of Méthode Traditionelle, Daniel and his wife Adele have been pioneers of Méthode Traditionelle in New Zealand for over 40 years.
Daniel, somewhat of a perfectionist, has never wavered in his commitment to creating wine the way he learned from his father in Champagne. He has crafted a house style for No.1 Family Estate that is renowned for its quality and consistency.
Daniel’s wife, Adele, heads up the business side and is the force behind No.1’s unique and elegant labels which have won international acclaim and much admiration in the cellar door.
In 2021 Daniel and Adele were awarded the The New Zealand Winegrowers Fellows award, recognising individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the New Zealand wine industry.
In October 2023, they were were awarded the Sir George Fistonich medal in recognition to services in New Zealand wine
Just recently, in October 2024, alongside fellow industry peers, Adele and Daniel were presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Marlborough Wine Show in recognition of their unwavering dedication and commitment to the Marlborough wine industry.
The Next Generation
Virginie Le Brun was an actress and TV presenter and has starred in New Zealand’s most iconic children’s show “What Now” and the nation’s most loved and long running TV soap “Shortland Street”.
While working for Amathus Drinks in London Virginie discovered a passion for selling fine wines and spirits. Through regular trips to visit her family in Champagne she began to feel a deeper connection to her heritage and the family brand.
Virginie joined the family business as Global Brand Ambassador in London from 2013 -2017 and is now the Sales Director, based in Marlborough. Her love of presenting and passion for the family brand is captivating.
After leaving school, Remy Le Brun gained a Diploma in Film and a qualification in Fitness Business and Personal Training before immersing himself in the family business. Whilst managing the No.1 vineyard, Remy completed his bachelor’s degree in Viticulture and Oenology in 2021.
For now, he has stepped away to focus on his sprint training and fitness business, however his wife Annie joined the sales and marketing team in January this year.
19 year old Lee Dobson joined No.1 Family Estate in 2003, assisting in the vineyard and winery. Showing passion and dedication, he was supported with his winemaking studies and mentored by Daniel. Lee is now the No.1 Family Estate Winery Manager and a Winemaker.
THE PLACE
In the early days, as he pioneered growing techniques and production methods unknown in New Zealand at the time, Daniel Le Brun became known as ‘the crazy Frenchman’. But Daniel could see that the climate and soils of Marlborough would make crisp and acidic wine that would age beautifully, meaning that it works perfectly for really good bubbles.
“We have, in Marlborough, the ideal climate for viticulture with high sunshine hours, moderate rainfall (550mm per annum) and high summer temperatures, cool dry autumns and cold winters.” – Daniel Le Brun
Their vineyard lies in the river bed of the Wairau River. It is mainly flat terrain with soil that is a mixture of river stones, sandy loams and gravels which are ideal for growing the traditional champagne clones of chardonnay, and pinot meunier. The vineyard has had sustainability certification since 2009. They currently source pinot noir from a carefully selected grower site in Marlborough.
THE PROCESS
Hand Picked and Gently Pressed – The No.1 Family Estate wine is made predominantly from grapes grown in their own vineyard in the stunning Wairau Valley in Marlborough. The grapes are hand harvested, to ensure that they are brought in clean and undamaged and immediately transported to their winery adjacent to the vineyard to preserve the freshness of the fruit. They are gently and slowly pressed in whole bunches in a Champagne Vaslin press imported from France by Daniel.
Making Bubbles – The art of blending is the true craft of a master champagne maker and when Daniel’s skill and the science of winemaking come together a little bit of magic is created. Like his Champenois ancestors, Daniel uses his experience to blend multiple vintages and create the signature No. 1 Family Estate non vintage wines: a blanc de blancs (chardonnay), a rosé (pinot noir) and a blend (chardonnay and pinot noir). A touch of pinot meunier is included to provide balance. In the best years, and only when he is satisfied that the grapes are at their finest, Daniel will create one of his signature vintage wines.
Bottling – The wine is bottled with liqueur de tirage, a mixture of still wine, sugar and yeast, and stored horizontally in a temperature controlled environment to achieve a thread of tiny and persistent bubbles known as a fine bead. It is during this second fermentation in the bottle that alcohol is produced anaerobically and from the carbon dioxide produced as a byproduct, bubbles are born!
Riddling – A sediment is formed during second fermentation from the dead yeast cells and once this fermentation is finished, the wine begins a period of ageing in the bottle, also called resting on its lees. To claim the title of Méthode Traditionelle, the wine must be made in the traditional method of Champagne. In Champagne the wine must rest on its lees for a minimum of 12 month. At No.1 they strive for at least 18 months. Their non vintage Reserve is currently 6.5 years.
The texture and flavour of the finished wine develops during this process known as autolysis. The lees settle on the side of the bottle and when deemed appropriate by the winemaker, it is removed by ‘remuage’, or ‘riddling’ in imported gyro pallets.
This is another first for Daniel. He was the first to import these technological wonders from his homeland in Champagne. The gyro pallets gently tilt and turn the bottles, replicating exactly what was once painstakingly done by hand.
The Finishing Touches – When riddling is complete, the sediment inside the bottle rests against the cap of the inverted bottle. The neck of the bottle is frozen (using another specialised machine introduced to NZ by our winemaker) and the frozen ‘plug’ is removed. This is called degorgement, or disgorging.
THE WINES – Current Range
No.1 Assemblé NV
The structure of Chardonnay and the finesse of Pinot Noir have been brought together for 3 years on lees, in the classic Méthode Traditionelle style. This wine has elegance, complexity and wide appeal. Aromas of autolysis, peach, baked apple and citrus. A fine mousse, bold acidity and flavours that reflect the nose.
Cuvée No.1
Cuvée No.1 was the first wine produced by No.1 Family Estate. This Chardonnay predominant Blanc de Blancs is lees aged to encourage full yeast autolysis. The wine displays texture, finesse and charm. Typical, complex, Champagne-like characters with savoury layers of citrus and stone fruits.
No.1 Rosé NV
This Pinot Noir predominant Rosé celebrates the superb climate of Marlborough. Delicate salmon-pink with a mass of tiny bubbles. A fresh, youthful and precise bouquet of flowers, cherry and strawberries. The palate is dry and elegant with a fine and silky mousse.
No.1 Reserve NV – New Release!
Each year, a limited amount of our Cuvée No.1 Blanc de Blancs is set aside for long-term ageing and released after several years – giving it the title “Reserve”. The extended lees ageing provides a seamless palate with rich biscuity notes, focused fruit yeast and a lengthy finish that is delicate and fresh. Limited to 1,680 bottles, each of which have been individually hand numbered and hand labelled. Includes a luxurious gift box.
No.1 Reine Cuvée Reserve NV
New release, October 2023, No.1 Reine Cuvée is a tribute to the family’s Mother and Mémère, Reine Vautrelle Le Brun. The floral pattern is inspired by a precious heirloom ring handed down to grandaughter, her ‘petite-fille’, Virginie Le Brun. This classic Méthode Traditionelle blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier has had long term lees ageing and minimal dosage to create a seamless and sophisticated Extra Brut Reserve NV.
No.1 Family Estate wines are available as single bottles or six bottle cases, a range of mixed cases and large format magnums & jeroboams are available too. They also have a range of gorgeous gift packs including the recently released Marlborough 75 cocktail kit and No.1 Reserve Magnum, and a selection of wine accessories including Stoppers, Glasses, Gift boxes, Ice Buckets and more.
A Special December Discount for Our Readers
For our readers and followers No.1 are offering a 10% discount off 6 x Bottle case purchases of Assemblé, Cuvée No.1 & No.1 Rosé, including standard mixed cases. Just enter the discount code, NZWINEDIR at the checkout.
*Excludes Reserve range and Limited Edition mixed cases. Limited to one use per customer. Expires 31st December 2024.
For more information visit: https://www.no1familyestate.co.nz/
If you would like to be featured in 2025, visit: https://nzwinedirectory.co.nz/about/featured-winery-campaign/
JB’s Tasting Notes
No. 1 Family Estate Assemblé NV Marlborough NZ
Clear mid lemon / golden in colour, fine mousse on pouring, tiny persistent bead / bubbles. Aromas of lemons, ripe peaches & nectarines on the nose then warm bread, yeasty leesy notes. Stone-fruit & rock melon flavours on the palate, a crisp lemon citrus acidity & creamy mousse – layered & complex finishing long & off-dry. Delicious & amazing value too. RRP:$36.00
No. 1 Family Estate No. 1 Cuveé NV, Marlborough NZ
Bright clear yellow – gold in colour, fine creamy mousse on pouring & tiny persistent bubbles. In the nose, immediate aromas of freshly buttered, warm bread then ripe stone-fruit & lemon citrus notes. The palate is creamy with ripe peach & nectarine fruit flavours, then a crisp lemony acidity and long, concentrated off-dry finish. 100% Chardonnay / 18 months + on lees adding depth & complexity.
Absolutely gorgeous bubbles & always just excellent. Enjoy right now, for Xmas & New Year or cellar for a few more years. RRP:$40.00