For sure, I am not the luckiest person when it comes to enjoying certain weather conditions in certain places. That is how it happened when I arrived at Nelson in New Zealand which supposed to be the driest and sunniest place in the country and it was raining. The first day we had so much rain I wasn’t sure that we can see some great vineyards but in the end the rain stopped and we could visit the wineries.
I have known Seifried Estate before because I was working with their wines in London so I was really looking forward to taste more of them.
They started the winery back in 1973 when the Austrian born Hermann Seifried decided to have some vines in New Zealand with his wife Agnes.
As in Austria, they planted mainly white, aromatic grape varieties, like Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Grüner Veltliner and Chardonnay with great plantings of Pinot Noir and even a little spot of Zweigelt.
Back in London I was selling probably their most famous wine, called Sweet Agnes, which is a late harvest Riesling, sometimes even with a little bit of botrytis, depending on the vintage, named after Hermann’s wife. I love this wine, it is super sweet with a lots of acidity and honeysuckle with peaches and mainly fresh fruits. A really great dessert wine, can be matched with a lot of sweets. I was usually pairing it with our pre-desserts and even dessert with chocolate.
I like their dry Riesling range as well, for me it is really combines the characteristics of a European and Australian Riesling. Lighter body, lots of fresh citrus fruits, great acidity and very long finish. Again, a good food wine, or even on its own on a really nice, dry, sunny afternoon.
This two previous wines I knew before but in the winery I have tasted finally some Chardonnay from them. I like Chardonnay from New Zealand and this one didn’t disappointed me neither. It was a Winemakers Collection Barrique Fermented Chardonnay from 2016. Full body, complex aromas of citrus, peach, spices and vanilla with good acidity, great balance and a very long finish. It was my favourite in the line up that I have sipped.
The experience in the cellar door was really great, the ladies were so kind and knowlegdeable, they even let me taste some grapes that I had to figure it out the variety. And helpfull as well, I have got some other reccomondations about what to do and which other wineries should I visit in the region.
I would like to thank you for them and suggest you to go and taste their wines. They have great stuff already for a reasonable price from entry level to premium wines so everyone can find something in their range.
Have you already tasted their wines? Which is your favourite?
