KEY POINTS:
How you get from mussel farming to grape growing I've no idea but Peter Yealands, who looks like a cross between the prophet Moses and the bass player from the Grateful Dead takes it all in his massive stride.
In this year's Rich List he's down as
worth about $75 million. No doubt you're familiar with the old line about how to make a small fortune in the wine business - start with a big one.
When I first set eyes on his huge, high-tech, no-expense-spared new winery, I thought I'd stumbled across an international airport for the tiny settlement of Seddon. Yealands is not just a big-picture-man, he wants the entire operation to be clean, green, sustainable and environmentally sound.
Where possible everything is recyclable, from bottles to packaging. The use of cutting-edge green technology from soil to bottle is encouraged and there is a creative use of innovative organic materials. And size really matters.
Arguably Australasia's biggest private grower, Yealands has planted 800ha of a vast 1000ha property. So what is mainly in the ground? Being Marlborough, it's sauvignon of course, around six million litres of it, along with much smaller volumes of riesling, pinot gris, gewurztraminer, viognier and a pinot noir available later in the year.
According to senior winemaker Tamra Washington, expect some future experimentation with lesser-known varietals.
There is some nervousness being expressed about a possible over-supply of Marlborough sauvignon and big producers having a bulk-buy mentality, happy to heavily discount their wine.
Yealsnds marketing manager Michael Wentworth knows this and although the sauvignon is competitively priced, you'd hardly call it bargain-basement.
All the wines reflect value for money and the first vintage augurs well for the future. At the recent winery opening, which doubled as the brand's world launch, Yealands was reticent to take centre-stage. He wanted a party.
A celebration, something relaxed and informal, nothing stuffy. A bit like the man himself. And despite the sometimes gruff exterior, there exists a wicked sense of humour. One export wine is labelled New Yealands.
Recommended
2008 Yealands Estate Gewurztraminer
Usual characteristics of rose petal, lychee and hint of lavender. Medium style that will develop well with time. Excellent with Asian cuisine.
Price: $25
2008 Yealands Sauvignon Blanc
Pleasant point of difference. Not too citrus-y but has a touch of minerality and stalkiness. Dryish finish. A sauvignon with sophisticated swagger.
Price: $19
