Moncellier was conceived on the back of a couple of beers after a hard day’s work. For Bill Spence it seemed like a pretty good way to start a wine company, a wine company that is relaxed and makes wine for the sheer pleasure of drinking it. This is not to say he doesn’t know what he is doing, as he has been a part of some of the best wines made in this country, and was responsible for the first plantings and production of Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand.

Bill started making wine in a tin shed a million years ago with his brother Ross. That time they named the wine after the road which the vineyard was on, Matua Rd. They made wine that was a lot of fun and became so popular that one of the big companies bought them out. “Not again”, says Bill. That is another reason he likes Moncellier. “My Cellar” and he says it will stay that way. Bill tells the best yarns in the wine business; He just needed a label……

So one night, after more than a couple, with a mate John who designs labels, they made a fuzzy decision to do something about it. John took him seriously, and some days later a label turned up with “Moncellier” on it.

Looked pretty good and the name had a kind of a ring to it – better than “Bill’s wine” anyway. See – a bloke and a couple of beers, plus a designer and a couple more, and you have a new wine label. One that is based on the winemaking philosophy that wine is fun, and that he will only make wine that he takes pleasure in drinking and that he knows his friends will enjoy drinking as well.

He now has a name that fits with his story and philosophy of producing wines that are fun and good enough for his own cellar. The keys on the label depict your access to wines produced by this fun loving and passionate bloke. Click the banner above to find out more about Moncellier and their Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.