Auntsfield Estate, Marlborough

The property was bought by the Cowleys in the early 90’s when it was still an unplanted cattle farm. However, when they researched the property they discovered it had actually produced wine from 1873 through to 1925 which made it the first commercial winery in Marlborough planted some 100 years before anywhere else!

They planted blocks of the property with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, taking real care to select the best plots for each. They now have around 40h planted on north-facing slopes on Greywacke rock overlaid with fine clay soil which is wind-blown over many thousands of years from the valley floor. This fantastic terroir gives the wine a fine minerality with wonderful texture and definition.

In the early 2000s both sons became interested in the project. Ben gave up his career as a film camera man, retraining in viticulture and moving his young family from Auckland to the property and then Luc completed his training in oenology. The family decided to release some wine under the original label, Auntsfield Estate.

Since the first release the wines have attracted great attention from consumers and press alike, as the wines offer more complexity and minerality than many of their neighbours.