Thirsty Thursdays! Yealands Family Wines: The Most Sustainable Winery In The World

If you've ever met someone who reminded you of the mythical figure who rules the month of December - Kris Kringle, Santa Claus, Ol' St. Nick - Peter Yealands would be that person. White hair and beard, very unassuming but with a twinkle in his eye - Yealands' demeanor in no way lets on to the fact that here is a man with a great story.

I was privileged to meet Peter Yealands, his wife Vai, and reps from the Yealands Winery last month in Chicago at Joe's Seafood.  Yealands and company arrived late to our luncheon but quickly engaged us all with how he came to be the proprietor of one of the top estate wineries in New Zealand.

Peter’s trademark “can do” attitude is the stuff of legend. Happiest working the land at the controls of a bulldozer or digger, Peter has a track record of making pioneering, innovative plans come to fruition – and his successes have been recently chronicled in a book “A Bloke For All Seasons – the Peter Yealands story”.



He has developed seven of his own vineyard sites in Marlborough, plus several others under contract for other companies. However his entrepreneurial vision extends well beyond grapes. Early on, Peter recognised the potential to farm Greenshell mussels commercially and in 1971 was issued with New Zealand’s first marine farming license. Thanks to his efforts in designing innovative technologies and helping establish aquaculture in the region, marine farming now contributes $160 million a year to New Zealand’s export earnings. 

In the mid ’80’s Peter established one of New Zealand’s most successful deer farms, specialising in stud animals and embryo transplants. This 2,000 hectare property in Kaiuma Bay in the Marlborough Sounds won a rural environment award in 2003. 

Peter, wife Vai and son Aaron now focus their energies on building Yealands Estate into a global brand. 

Peter’s innovative thinking has led to a number of world firsts in sustainable wine growing, and his goal of becoming the most sustainable wine grower in the world ensures there are plenty of initiatives to come!

So what about the wine, you say? As a sample of some of the expressions available. there is the Yealands Estate Single Block Series which features a delightful sauvignon blanc.  Scented and herbaceous. Black currant bud and ripe stone fruits, with great structure and a bright, flinty acidity.  So good is the fruit from this block, that the 2011 Yealands Estate Single Block S1 Sauvignon Blanc (UK) won Gold ‘International Sauvignon Blanc’ Trophy at the International Wine Challenge 2012.

Another is the Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.  Selected from two parcels of fruit from the Yealands Seaview Vineyard, this aromatic wine shows pure fruit flavors of guava, blackcurrant leaf, fresh herbs, layered with bright citrus notes. The palate is textured and elegant, with the distinctive mineral finish that the Estate Sauvignon Blanc is renowned for.

Enjoy it as an aperitif, also with freshly shucked oysters, prawns, green lip mussels and clams. It also matches brilliantly with a goats cheese salad.  A wine that is also suitable for vegetarians, vegans and gluten free diets.

The Pinot Noir from this series has notes of dark cherry, violets and spice dominate the nose. The palate is full and structured, yet elegant with flavours of luscious dark cherry balanced with a fine mineral acidity.

This wine matches beautifully with red meat dishes, including venison and lamb.

As for a little wisdom to go with your wine, Peter Yealands (twinkle and all) puts it best.  "Think boldly, tread lightly and never say it can't be done."

To purchase Yealands Family Wines check-out www.ultimatewineshop.com online. To learn more about Yealands Family Wines go to http://www.yealandsestate.co.nz.