Rise of the Grape

Brancott Winery’s Ivan Yukich – who planted his first vines in the Waitakere Ranges in 1934 – was a visionary who fought through poor economic times, prohibition and New Zealand’s preference for beer and hard spirits. Only about 25-30 acres were planted until his sons joined him in the wine business in 1961. At that time Montana Wines was founded. These innovators in the New Zealand wine industry created the first vintage varietal bottling (Gisborne Chardonnay), planted the first modern vineyards in Marlborough and pioneered in the development of sauvignon blanc. New Zealand is one of those countries whose star is rising. The first vineyard in the country was planted in 1836 by British citizen James Busby. Wine as an industry was not taken very seriously and few others even tried to plant. In 1851, the Catholic Church planted what is now New Zealand’s oldest vineyard at Hawke’s Bay.