For the second year in a row, Giesen Wines is celebrating being awarded Champion Chardonnay at the New Zealand Organic Wine Awards.

The Giesen Brothers Theo, Marcel & Alex

Giesen won four accolades at the 2019 New Zealand Organic Wine Awards: Giesen Single Vineyard The Fuder Clayvin Chardonnay 2015 was named Champion Chardonnay and received a Gold Medal; Giesen Single Vineyard Clayvin Pinot Noir 2015 collected a Gold Medal and Giesen Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2018 was awarded a Bronze Medal. This follows Giesen Single Vineyard The Fuder Clayvin Chardonnay 2014 being awarded Champion Chardonnay and receiving a Gold Medal at last year’s New Zealand Organic Wine Awards.

Giesen Wines Chief Winemaker Nikolai St George said back-to-back Champion Chardonnay wins are testament to the quality of the Clayvin organic vineyard.

“To win this significant award two years in a row from a single vineyard is incredible. All the wine for Giesen Single Vineyard The Fuder Clayvin Chardonnay comes from Chardonnay clones planted in 1992 by Mike and Jo Eaton. Clayvin is a very special site; the combination of clay soils, multiple north-facing aspects, vines close planted at four times the standard density and meticulous vineyard work—mostly undertaken by hand adds to create wines with intensity of flavour which reflect their terroir.”

Additionally the Champion Chardonnay accolade reinforces the company’s Chardonnay making credentials. While Giesen has long been recognised for its Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, its Chardonnay is gaining more attention. As well as two champion Chardonnay titles from the NZ Organic Wine Awards, Giesen won two trophies for its Chardonnay at the recent Royal Easter Wine Show. In what was a very successful show for Giesen, the winery was awarded Champion Wine of Show 2019 for Giesen The Brothers Marlborough Chardonnay 2017, with this wine also winning the New World Trophy for Champion Chardonnay. At the same show, Giesen was also named  Winemaker of the Year 2019, the fourth time Giesen Chief Winemaker Nikolai St George had won the title.

Giesen Single Vineyard The Fuder Clayvin Chardonnay 2015

Fruit was selectively hand-picked by sub-block to ensure optimal ripeness and maximum flavour. Berries were whole bunch pressed and the free run juice was settled and transferred to oak. A wild yeast starter was used to create a warm natural fermentation which was undertaken in Fuder barrels, before the wine was rested on lees prior to racking.

Nikolai says the use of 1000-litre German Fuder barrels ensures Clayvin Chardonnay develops great complexity and refinement. This is because the ratio of wine in contact with the oak is less than smaller barrels, the oak influence is more subtle allowing the flavour of the fruit acquired in the vineyard to shine. Additionally, the staves of Fuder barrels are thicker which means the temperature of ferment tends to be warmer, giving the fruit characters depth and complexity.

Giesen The Fuder Clayvin Pinot Noir 2015

After meticulous hand picking and sorting the fruit was cold soaked then hand plunged for at least 10 days before being held on skins until it was ready to be basket pressed. It was then left to naturally ferment naturally with ferment temperatures peaking at 30-33C. Once fermentation was completed the wine matured in a mix of new and used 225-300L French Oak. This Single Vineyard Clayvin Pinot Noir is earthy with wild strawberry and red cherry. It’s restrained with good intensity and structure, finishing with great length.

Giesen Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Organic Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from Giesen’s Dillons Point and Stump Creek certified organic vineyards and long term Giesen growers from the Wairau Valley. Juice was managed in three distinct parcels to provide blending options and flavour for the final wine. One parcel was fermented to promote aromatics, another was fermented wild to create texture and final lot barrel fermented to give oak aromatics and a smooth mouthfeel. Combined these create a complex full-bodied Organic Sauvignon Blanc.

Giesen Wines

With almost four decades of Marlborough winemaking experience, Giesen is a champion of multiple wine styles. Giesen owns 13 premium Marlborough vineyards, including the regions first significant organic hillside vineyard, Clayvin. Giesen’s vineyards have been strategically acquired throughout the highly sought after Wairau Valley. Eleven percent of Giesen vineyards are certified organic with BioGro New Zealand; Giesen Marlborough Organic Sauvignon Blanc, Giesen Single Vineyard The Fuder Dillons Point Sauvignon Blanc, Giesen Single Vineyard Ridge Block Pinot Noir, Giesen Single Vineyard The Fuder Clayvin Chardonnay, Giesen The Fuder Clayvin Pinot Noir and Giesen The Fuder Clayvin Syrah. In March 2019, Giesen Wines was named Winemaker of the Year and awarded three Champion Trophies at the New Zealand Royal Easter Show Wine Awards. This comes after being named New Zealand Winery of the Year 2018 and receiving four Gold Medals at the fifth Melbourne International Wine Competition (MIWC) in August.

New Zealand Organic Wine Awards

The New Zealand Organic Wine Awards is an independent wine show dedicated to finding and promoting New Zealand’s best organic wines. The New Zealand Organic Wine Awards is New Zealand’s only dedicated wine show for organic wines. In addition to this, they pride themselves on their independence, as none of their judges are engaged financially or otherwise with any of the vineyards eligible to enter. This level of independence is unprecedented within the New Zealand wine industry.

Giesen’s award winning organic wines can be found at selected fine wine retailers throughout New Zealand:

Giesen Single Vineyard The Fuder Clayvin Chardonnay 2015 is available for an RRP of $55.99

Giesen Single Vineyard Clayvin Pinot Noir 2015 is available for an RRP of $59.99

Giesen Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2018 is available for an RRP of $15.99