The zesty aromas jump from the glass, with highlights of pink grapefruit, melon and gooseberry. \n \n Producer Information \n Brancott Estate is a wine producer located in Marlborough, New Zealand, first established in 1977 by Frank Yukich. It was the first winery in Marlborough to plant Sauvignon Blanc, which is now the region's signature variety and dominates in acreage planted. Brancott estate produces a large portfolio of wines, encompassing many different styles and grape varieties at various price points. The pinnacle range is the Chosen Rows, a duo of varietal Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir produced from the best vineyards within the company's holdings. The first plantings at Brancott Estate were Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Silvaner in 1973. It had been thought that New Zealand's South Island was too cold to grow grapes for making wine, so few attempts had been made. In 1975 the first Sauvignon Blanc was planted, with 1979 seeing the first bottled vintage. Brancott Sauvignon Blanc soon found international success, paving the way for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and the New Zealand wine industry itself. In 1990 Queen Elizabeth II visited the estate and planted a vine. Brancott Estate wines were originally sold under the label of Montana Wines, a winery established by Yukich's father, Ivan Yukich, in 1934 in Auckland. Montana's initial focus was growing grapes for liquor distilling, but it began releasing wine in 1944. Although Brancott Estate is synonymous with the first Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the 1979 vintage also saw the first Pinot Noir of the region, now the signature red grape variety of Marlborough. The road to Montana's name change began in 2001 when it was purchased by the British company, Allied Domecq, after establishing itself as one of the largest wine producers in New Zealand. Soon after, Montana wines being sold in the United States took on the label of Brancott Estate, to avoid confusion with the state of Montana. In 2005, Allied Domecq was bought by Pernod Ricard, one of the largest alcoholic beverage companies in the world. It was under this new ownership that Montana finally became solely known as Brancott Estate Wines.
