This month we head to the south of Marlborough, slightly inland from Kaikoura, to visit the Esses Wine Company, a premium grower-producer creating sophisticated, late-disgorged sparkling wines using traditional French methods.
Esses Estate is only one of a handful of grower-producers that specialises solely in Méthode Traditionnelle, with the aim to grow the perfect sparkling wine.
Read on for their story…
THE PEOPLE
Aaron and Mel Skinner, owners of the Esses Wine Company, are passionate sparkling lovers and having searched the world, found a gorgeous little plot of vines located in the magnificent foothills of Kaikoura.
Esses name simply meaning plural of “S” and celebrates the terroir and natural influences of the vineyard and of course the Skinner name, all of which begin with the letter ‘S.’ Esses is the only vineyard near Kaikoura township and specialises solely in Méthode Traditionnelle.
The process of making Méthode Traditionnelle is a labour of love for Mel and Aaron. Méthode Traditionnelle is the process used by premium sparkling wine producers, most famous for its use in Champagne. It is a labour-intensive technique that is recognised for producing the most refined, complex, and age-worthy examples of sparkling wine.
Each of Esses vintage Méthode Traditionnelle’ takes approximately 5 years to create…
We spend the first 12 months making a high quality still wine, which is then bottled and undergoes a secondary fermentation with the bottle. It is then left to mature for a minimum of 36 months, during which time it goes through a process of ‘autolysis’ that adds complexity and richness to the wine and lifted aromatics.
Their aim is to move sparkling from being just a celebrating drink, to a serious wine that you drink like an aged Pinot noir or Chardonnay. The range of methodes also reflect that methode can reflect any mood or time of the day. From champagne breakfast to a beautiful glass of encore after dinner, with aged cheese.
Esses wine is also a member of Méthode Marlborough, a grower lead society passionate about creating world class sparkling. Find out more here: https://www.methodemarlborough.org/
THEIR VALUES
AUTHENTIC – They seek to create high quality wines through utilising ‘living soils and minimal intervention winemaking to produce wines that intensely reflect where they are grown.
CREATIVE – Their approach is to create expressive and inspiring wines that exude artfulness and intrigue. They embrace creative ingenuity to achieve positive outcomes across our operations.
SOCIAL – Their wines are made to be shared with friends and family and celebrate all of life’s moments. They prescribe to a quality over quantity philosophy, compatible with a sociable, healthy lifestyle.
SOPHISTICATED – Their aim is to grow complex vintage wines, which reflect intelligence, style, and reputation.
ARTISAN – As grower-producer, family-owned vineyard they have deeply immersive themselves into all aspects of the growing process with the aim to create exciting, authentic, high-quality wines.
Esses follow regenerative and organic practices and are just looking at certification now. They have just upgraded our equipment to recycling sprays to reduce spray wastage, drift and also reduce amount of spray on the ground.
THE PLACE
Esses Estate is nestled in the Mt Fyffe alluvial fans at the base of the snow-capped peaks of Mt Fyffe in Kaikoura. The stony soils heat up during the day and the gentle sea breezes providing cooling influences, creating a stunning long ripening period.
Esses takes a “living soil” approach, encouraging plants to grow under the vines, whose roots then oxygenate the soil and provide cover for moisture retention. The plants attract bees, worms and insects making a diverse ecosystem for the microorganisms and delicate fungi to thrive. Microorganisms, bacteria, and fungi in turn supply nutrients to the vines.
Through maximising the life within the soil, this allows vines to fully interact with their environment and to produce fruit that develops aromas, flavours and structural elements that speak of their estate.
THE WINES – METHODE TRADITIONELLE
Esses Estate uses the traditional French method, Méthode Traditionnelle, to produce rich, refined, and complex vintage sparkling, with each vintage taking up to five years to make. This is the same technique that is undertaken in Champagne and is a labour of love, driven by passion and patience. Exceptional wine takes time.
Aaron and Mel create sophisticated, limited release, vintage and Non Vintage sparkling wines, handcrafted to reflect the stunning terroir with in which they are grown, and have received significant accolades from wine critics. The current wines available are…
Esses Essential NV Brut Cuvee – Beautiful sparkling that is perfect with oysters, seafood and salad. Stunning for sitting in the sun with a platter.
Esses Encore 2016 Vintage Brut Cuvee – A Classic and Elegant Methode Traditionelle – stunning wine with beautiful aged characteristics.
Esses Abode Vintage 2020 – A mouthful of méthode traditionnelle and packed with concentration, the off-dry style makes it approachable now but it clearly has the material to justify further ageing in bottle for added complexity
To find out more about each wine and purchase online, visit: https://esseswine.com/collections/our-wine
For International Orders visit: https://www.winecollective.direct/region/marlborough/esses-wine-company/wines
Tasting Room Experiences
At their Tasting Room, Esses provide a range of tasting experiences. From a ‘Classic’ tasting, an opportunity to sip and savour three of Esses Estates classic Méthode Traditionnelle wines, or the ‘Premium Tasting’ experience, incorporating a non-vintage, a vintage méthode along with a taste of one of their rare, aged vintages.
The ‘Ultra-Premium’ Tasting experience incorporates a non-vintage, two vintages and aged Vintage and finally, the Esses Estate ‘Masterclass Tasting’ offers one-hour, private tasting experience which are held exclusively with the owners the estate.
Their tastings in the tasting room are unique, and focus on education and discussions. They spend between 30-60 minutes with clients talking everything methode and sparkling, and about their love for wine.
To find out more and book a Tasting Experience, visit: https://esseswine.com/pages/visit
Indulgent Tasting Experiences
Esses Estate has also partnered with passionate local business that share their values of sophistication, authenticity and sustainability to curate unique once in a lifetime experiences.
Private Mountain Top Tastings – Embark on a luxurious journey that begins with an exhilarating helicopter ride by knowledgable local pilot to a secluded coastal haven, where you’ll indulge in a lavish wine tasting hosted by the owner of Esses Estate.
Hapuku Kitchen Private Cooking Classes with Tasting – At its heart, Hapuku Kitchen is focused on reconnecting the kitchen to the Whenua (land) and Moana (sea), celebrating the abundant larder nature has to offer – taking inspiration from the wild Kaikoura landscape
Hapuku Lodge Methode Masterclass and Canapes Match – Enjoy an Esses Estate Masterclass matched with stunning canapes create by Hapuku Lodge Executive Chef, Fernando Campos. Designed for groups of 8-20 and perfect as a pre-dinner event before dinner at Hapuku Lodge.
For more information and to book an Indulgent Tasting Experience visit – https://esseswine.com/pages/experiences
