The Saint Clair name originates from the vineyard property first settles by James Sinclair. It is currently owned by Neal and Judy Ibbotson who bought it in 1978 and originally supplied grapes to other companies. In 1994 they decided to make and bottle their own wines and have won many awards since then including Best New Zealand Wine Producer of the Year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2005. Marlborough is situated at the top northeastern tip of New Zealand’s South Island at altitude of 40 degrees south of the equator and based round the town of Blenheim. The main grape produced is Sauvignon Blanc but Chardonnay. Riesling, Pinot Gris, Merlot and Pinot Noir are equally important.
As with many New Zealand wineries they have a “cellar door” where tourists and visitors are able to taste many of the wines and also have a light snack or coffee before travelling to the next vineyard. Having visited St Clair in the spring of this year I can wholeheartedly recommend St Clair as a stopping off point.
