Saint Clair Family Estate

The Saint Clair Family Estate is owned by Neal and Judy Ibbotson.

Tradition and family cohesion 

Neal and Judy have been among the pioneers of viticulture in the Marlborough region since 1978. Initially, the grapes were delivered to local wine companies and vinified there. But the two wanted more. The grapes of the highest quality should remain in the business right to the end in order to create their own wine. And so in 1994 they founded the Saint Claire Family Estate. It was named after the Sinclair family, who had previously owned the winery. The Ibbotsons have made it their mission to create world-class wines that customers might not necessarily expect. Over the years, Neil in particular has acquired extensive wine knowledge and, together with his team, skillfully combines this with the conditions that prevail around Marlborough. In the meantime, the next generation is already working in the family business. Son Tony and daughters Sarina and Julie are all active in sales, design and marketing.

 The vineyards and the quality

Saint Clair uses various winegrowing regions in New Zealand for its wines. The best known is certainly Marlborough. It is located in the southeast of the island and has developed over the years into one of the country’s most renowned regions. This is certainly not only due to the size of the wine-growing area, but the quality of the grapes vinified here also contributes to its fame. The dry, sunny days and the significantly cooler nights have a very positive effect on the development of the grapes. Special sites of Saint Clair are in particular the 

• Wairau Valley
• Awatere Valley
• Ure Valley
• and Gimblett Gravels.

Further indicators of outstanding quality are a sustainable approach, thinning out fruit and shoots, and always keeping an eye on the big picture. After the harvest, the fruit is transported quite quickly from the vine via the press into the tank and the barrels in order to preserve the fruit quality and character.

New Zealand

The island group is known for its natural richness and breathtaking landscapes. But there are also some remarkable wine-growing regions that shape the attractive scenery. New Zealand’s wine-growing area is the southernmost in the world, protected from strong winds by the mountain range in the west. The North Island and the South Island present different climatic conditions. The more densely populated, but smaller and warmer island is the North Island. On the larger South Island, about 60% of New Zealand’s total vineyard area is located. The oceanic, sunny climate, the stony soils and the high levels of rainfall are the basis for the success of the wines produced here.