Respect from Vine to Bottle Makes Champion Pinot Noir

Respect from Vine to Bottle Makes Champion Pinot Noir

Image: Richard Briggs Photography

A concentrated effort from the entire Marisco team can be credited for their title of Classic Oak Products Champion Pinot Noir, current vintage at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.

The same wine,‘The King’s Wrath’ Pinot Noir 2021, also saw the company pick up the trophy for Champion Wine of the Show.

Marisco Vineyards Owner and Proprietor Brent Marris says creating stunning Marlborough Pinot Noir involves respect from the get-go.

“It’s about respecting the soils, respecting the vines and respecting the process,” he says.

The company first began making Pinot Noir around 10 years ago, and has been honing their process ever since. “We’re committed to improving the variety,” Brent says.

To have one of the Pinot Noirs recognised as the Champion Wine of the Show was special, and acknowledged the hard work of the whole Marisco team, he says.

“It’s an absolute privilege to represent the Marisco family … There's a big close team from the vineyard, through to winemaking, but also includes finance, logistics and the broader team.”

“We know how much work goes into making a wine that can get to the level that this is.”

It was the third year in a row the company has entered stand-out Pinot Noir, with ‘The King’s Wrath’ Pinot Noir 2019 taking the Classic Oak Products Champion Pinot Noir, 2019 & Older at the 2021 show, and their Leefield Station Pinot Noir 2019 picking up the Classic Oak Products Champion Pinot Noir, 2019, at the 2020 show.

Classic Oak Products Director Susan Macks says Marisco Wines has long been a user of their products, and she was delighted to see them pick up their trophy, as well as the title of QuayConnect Champion of the Show.

“It was wonderful to be able to present the Marisco Wines team with our trophy. Classic Oak Products’ Francois Freres barrels are a key part of the winemaking process for their winning Pinot Noir,” she says.

“For them to pick up both the Champion Pinot Noir, Current Vintage, as well as the trophy for Champion of the Show is a credit to their experienced winemaking team, with whom we have been working for a long time.”

Susan predicted Pinot Noir would be a variety to watch for Marlborough many years ago, and says the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show was exemplary of that.

“Marlborough is no longer ‘up and coming’ as a premium Pinot Noir region, but has already arrived,” she says.

“Congratulations to the winners of our trophies, we look forward to continuing our strong relationships with you.”