Overview: Number One Family Estate from Marlborough secured a world championship title for its Brut NV at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships in London. The win marks the first time a New Zealand winemaker has achieved this specific accolade in the sparkling wine category.
The Full Story
For the first time, a New Zealand winemaker has taken out a world championship title for the best sparkling wine. Over the weekend Marlborough’s Number One Family Estate accepted the prestigious award for its Brut NV at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships in London.
The venture began more than 45 years ago when French born winemaker Daniel Le Brun decided to put down roots in Marlborough, never doubting his vision. Both his family in the Champagne region of France and the Marlborough locals weren’t so convinced initially. No one else was making sparkling wine in the region at that time.
“That’s when I inherited the nickname of a crazy Frenchman, because I was still doing things different,” Le Brun noted regarding the early skepticism. Despite the ongoing belief in the product, the latest accolade still came as a shock to the team. Wine Marlborough general manager Marcus Pickens identified Le Brun as the father of modern sparkling wine in New Zealand.
The vision shown and dedication to stick to that solely is considered really special by industry peers. Marketing manager and Le Brun’s daughter Virginie Le Brun described the award as a testament to all the work that has gone before, noting it was the realisation of a dream Daniel had way back when.
Production & Profile
Production relies on traditional French methods imported from France when equipment wasn’t available in New Zealand. The process is hand-harvested by a small team with meticulous detail. Winemaker Lee Dobson stated that sticking to the craft of sparkling wine making made the company unique.
We’re not making huge quantities, and we’re putting all of our energy and love into this wine.
Brand & Industry History
Daniel Le Brun founded the venture over 45 years ago using traditional French methods imported from France. He brought equipment over from France when it wasn’t available in New Zealand. While his family in the Champagne region of France and Marlborough locals weren’t so convinced initially, he stuck to the traditional ways he’d been taught of making sparkling wine.
What This Means
The latest accolade still came as a shock to the team. “It came you know as a bolt out of the blue, really,” Le Brun said regarding the win. Virginie Le Brun noted it was absolutely more significant than beating Champagne. It represents the realisation of a dream that Daniel had way back when and is significant for all of us as a team.
Consumer Takeaway
This release offers a Brut NV sparkling wine from Marlborough, New Zealand, produced by Number One Family Estate. The bottle reflects a history of over 45 years of traditional French methods imported to the region. It represents a world championship title for best sparkling wine at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships in London.
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