Jane Hunter

In the mid 1980’s there were only about a half a dozen wineries in Marlborough who had a presence on to the international market and Hunters was one of them. Ernie and Jane Hunter saw the real potential for growing cool-climate varietals in Marlborough and started their winery in the Wairau Valley in 1983, using borrowed equipment from an old Christchurch cider factory. Today, Marlborough wines (and especially Sauvignon Blanc) are known the world-over and a great deal of the region’s early success is due to Jane Hunter, who took up and proudly developed her husband’s passion and vision, after Ernie's tragic death in a car accident in 1987.

Whilst Jane is the viticulturist at Hunters, it is wine-maker Gary Duke who has been responsible for producing some of the South Island’s most outstanding wines over the past 15 years. Gary’s wines are not the blockbuster, super-ripe, fruit-driven styles as he has adopted a more food-compatible approach resulting in wines with great balance, complexity and finesse.

Producers Featured Wine

Riesling, 2009 Hunter's Marlborough 2009 Riesling has taken out the best Riesling from New Zealand at the 12th annual Canberra International Riesling Challenge held last week in the historic Albert Hall. Hunter's Marlborough 2009 Riesling has picked up a long list of awards since its release including the same award in 2010 from the Canberra International Riesling Challenge, GOLD at the International Cool Climate Wine Show 2010 and GOLD at The Marlborough Wine Show 2011. "We are really pleased to have the honour of accepting this accolade for our 2009 Riesling for the second year in a row" says Jane Hunter. A finely balanced wine with lime/citrus and floral fruit aromas. The palate is finely structured and alive with fresh lime/citrus fruit characters. The wine will reward cellaring for the next three to four years. £12.54 per bottle