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114 vineyard. Opposite page –SeifriedBrightwater and hisdogs in the vineyard. Seifried family. Bottom –Henmann generations ofhands.Above –The IMAGES Thispage–Top –Three own area ofinterestand expertise... Three generations of family bringing their Zealand to take upapositionwith the 1971. Withlittle more than adream, Austria hehadalwaysaninterest work for KWVinSouthAfrica before who hadjustqualifiedasa teacher, were plantedin1973 on the gently what classical European varieties may the couple purchased landin the their first vineyard. Thesefirst vines wineries, producingwineries, theverybest true pioneers, experimenting with terroir. Today ithasgrown from very in Austria, Hermann then went onto initial tertiary studiesatSilberberg in Germany. After completing his in viticulture andoenology andwent in 1971. Havinggrown uponanapple New Zealand Apple andPear Board Hermann Seifriedcame to New Hermann decidedhewanted to industry. Hermann andAgnes were Motueka, where they began the long Moutere Valley between Nelsonand stay inNewZealand and they Island’s moderncommercial wine scion wood to propagate plantsfor Nelson has to offer. new role. heading to NewZealand to take uphis married at the endofDecember in resistant rootstock onto vinifera process ofhandgrafting phylloxera hectares ofland, they began the South northward slopingclay loamsoils. modest beginnings to become one on to study winemakingatWeinsberg orchard inStyriasouth-eastern do well in this untestedclimateand of NewZealand’s mostsustainable Shortly after meetingAgnes, With 14 viniferaWith on two varieties, 115 SEIFRIED ESTATE – NELSON,BARBADILLO NEW –ZEALAND SPAIN The site that Herman and Agnes chose for their new vineyards was perfect in terms of location. It is surrounded by mountains to the east, west and south (Richmond and Western Ranges) and the Tasman Sea to the north, which moderates the temperate climate throughout the year. The sunshine here was also a real drawcard, with an average of over 2,400 hours of sunshine a year, earning Nelson its reputation as the ‘Sunshine Capital of New Zealand’. 1976 was the first harvest with five distinctive varietal wines being made – Riesling, Sylvaner, Chardonnay, Müller-Thurgau and Refosco.
IMAGES This page: Above – Hermann and In 2016 the winery celebrated 40 years Agnes at their first wine festival pouring Seifried Estate. Middle – Hermann, Agnes tasting with their three children Heidi, Chris and Anna. Bottom – (from left to right) – since the first harvest Anna, Chris and Heidi as kids growing up on the estate.
In 2014 Agnes and Hermann were recognised for their contribution to the New Zealand grape and wine industry by being inducted as Fellows of New Zealand Winegrowers, one of the New Zealand wine industry’s greatest acknowledgements. This was the first time in its history that a husband and wife team were recognised, and the first time a woman has been honoured. In 2016 the winery celebrated 40 years since the first harvest. The last four decades have seen significant change, with the New Zealand industry now recognised as world- leading, particularly with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, but also for Syrah, Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Today Seifried farm over 250 hectares of vineyards, across nine sustainably-accredited vineyard locations scattered throughout the Nelson region, and all of their three children are actively involved in the business.
116 D N, NEW ZEALAN O EIFRIED ESTATE – NELS EIFRIED ESTATE S
IMAGES This page: Above – Seifried Today Seifried farm over 250 hectares Redwood Valley vineyard. Bottles – Aotea, Winemakers collection Sweet of vineyards, across nine sustainably- Agnes, Old Coach Road. accredited vineyard locations Aotea represents a selection of Old Coach Road – These are ‘any wines which Seifried consider occasion’ wines and are best enjoyed to be the very best of their best. young. They include Sauvignon Blanc, Harvested from single vineyard unoaked Chardonnay and Pinot estate-grown vines, the wines offer Noir. They are bright and fresh, and texture and varietal character. They made in a very fruit-driven style. are wines with depth and finesse.
Winemakers Collection Sweet Agnes Riesling – The grapes for Sweet Agnes are hand-selected with a large portion of the fruit shrivelled and raisined, caused by natural dehydration on the vine. The grapes are then gently pressed to release a very concentrated intensely flavoured juice. It’s no wonder this is one of New Zealand’s most awarded dessert wines.
Seifried Estate – The Seifried Estate range is the winery’s premium label. Fruit is harvested from vines in excess of eight years of age, and the style is pure, with rich tones.
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