Since our inception Margrain Vineyard has quietly gained a reputation for producing a wide range of exceptional wines that exude both complexity and charm.
Margrain Home Block Pinot Noir is our flagship wine, generally very savoury with an assertive texture and an enticing wet forest floor earthiness combined with rich black fruit flavours and a characteristically delicate smokiness wafting through. This is well complimented by the Margrain Rivers Edge Pinot Noir which is our second label. Based on grapes from younger vines it is made in an earlier drinking style that offers great value for money. 2013 saw the first ever Margrain Reserve Pinot Noir from a small block of dijon clone grapes that were spectacular. To date only 4 vintages of this have been produced.
Whites in our portfolio include the elegant Margrain Chardonnay, the off dry, highly complex Margrain Riesling, the delicate and decidedly moreish Margrain Pinot Rose and the Margrain Sauvignon Blanc made from 100% Martinborough fruit.
Two whites deserve particular mention. Margrain Pinot Gris is a stand out in a variety that has rapidly growing popularity. Made from some of the oldest Pinot Gris vines in the country it is made in a completely dry style with no oak aging and has great complexity and depth. Margrain Chenin Blanc is a little known gem and proof that it is possible to make stunning wines from this overlooked variety. It has become something of a cult item and as a result is rarely sold outside mail-order and our cellar door. Whenever possible we make at least one dessert wine. Generally made from Chenin Blanc which really lends itself to this style, different vintages have seen the use of Riesling and even Sauvignon Blanc. A favourite with our customers, these are always in short supply and never seem to be available for long. It’s a case of grab one if you see them.
Our two Methode Traditionelle bubbles, La Michelle and En Rose, are fabulous examples of the style and take around 4 year to make. That deserves a celebration in and of itself!