Hunter’s Wines

It’s hard to believe now, given the prevalence of the region’s Sauvignon Blanc around the world, but sheep and crops ruled the roost in 1970s Marlborough. Indeed both were still far more prominent than vines when ebullient Irishman Ernie Hunter landed on New Zealand’s shores in 1979 with little knowledge of the wine world. These were Marlborough’s formative years as a wine region, and, despite his ignorance, Ernie wasted little time in breaking ground, planting, among other varieties, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Noir and, naturally, Sauvignon Blanc. In 1985, his ‘Savvy B’ was voted the top wine of the Sunday Times Wine Show, found itself on the front page of the paper, sales rose 1000% and Hunter’s was on the map. On Ernie’s sudden passing just two years later, his indomitable widow Jane, an Australian, found herself alone in a foreign country in charge of 100 hectares of vineyards. She has been its torchbearer ever since and with her nephew James Macdonald now at the winemaking helm, Hunter’s has forged an enviable reputation not only for stellar still wines (notably Riesling) but also multi-award-winning sparkling cuvées. Hunter’s is the only 1970s-founded Marlborough winery to have remained family owned, and today Jane is the proud holder of an OBE in recognition of her industry-leading efforts. The estate is increasingly focused on sustainability, with all its wines being vegan-certified, and a commitment to turn even more of its vineyards over to organic practices.