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Fighting the Tide of Savvy

Feb 05, 2015

You have to applaud the audacity of people who go against the trend, people like Howard Simmonds.

It’s 2004, and New Zealand Savvy tidal wave continues to gain momentum all over the globe, thanks in part to a newly consistent, aromatic & refreshing style across the board. So what do you do with a vineyard when the whole NZ wine industry is scrambling to plant Sauvignon Blanc grapes? Plant Pinot Gris of course.  Why?  Because Howard liked Pinot Gris, not Savvy.  And he wisely hasn’t looked back since.

Searching for a more relaxing way of life away from Auckland,  he and his wife moved to Marlborough just over a decade ago, and bought a little vineyard located in Renwick, right in the heart of the valley.  He much preferred Pinot Gris as a style, and so on his little block they planted over 5000 Pinot Gris Vines, with not a single savvy vine in sight.

Determined to be the master of his own fate and produce only the best grapes possible, he studied the art of viticulture and then applied it to his own estate.  Quickly morphing into a true hands on producer, the pair do everything  themselves from pruning to spraying to hand picking.  The decision to ensure that grapes are only sourced from their meticulously tended small single vineyard site is the key to the quality of the wine produced, and a testament to the ongoing hard work put in.

And intriguingly, there’s an SA connection too. Current winemaker David Tyney was born and raised in Adelaide, and has a solid reputation as a talented winemaker built from years of experience in the wine industry .  David has worked with and consulted for numerous key wineries over the years including NZ stalwart Giesen.

Now nine vintages later, from humble beginnings the boutique family owned & operated winery is one of the undisputed leaders in NZ Pinot Gris. Since the first vintage, they’ve  been making distinctive, premium wine, with the Reserve Pinot Gris winning numerous prestigious awards since its inception, including a Gold Medal in the New Zealand International Wine Show.

The latest instalment, the 2014 Gibson Bridge Reserve Pinot Gris is another superb example.  In fact, highly regarded NZ wine publication Wine Orbit recently awarded the wine 94 points and a 5 Star rating!  In their comments they write, “This outstanding pinot gris specialist delivers again with a gorgeous wine. The wine combines power, richness and style in a beautifully framed harmonious palate.  It’s filled with mango, nectarine, pear and floral notes on the nose, followed by a sumptuous palate that’s velvety and fleshy with a hint of sweetness which is perfectly contoured by refreshing acidity. “ Wine Orbit, Jan 2015 Ed.

And if that’s not enough endorsement, it is one of Ross Fassina’s perennial favourites! During a NZ trip in 2010, he stumbled across the quaint Marlborough cellar door and loved the Reserve Pinot Gris so much, he brought it back across the pond and made it exclusively available in all Fassina Stores.

Maybe it’s time for New Zealand to be considered famous for its Pinot Gris now instead.  The Gibson Bridge Pinot Gris is a breath of fresh air for NZ wines, in a sea of watered down commercially tasting Savvys.  Howard Simmond’s subtle defiance to buck the trend is something to be proud of.  And perhaps a life lesson.  Don’t follow trends, create them.

Gibson Bridge Pinos Gris 2014 hacked

 

Gibson Bridge Reserve Pinot Gris 2014 – $14.99ea (Normal RRP $29.99)

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