‘Crazy Frenchman’s’ sparkling legacy
company of 200 guests, the French Ambassador Mr Jacques Bourgoin and New Zealand’s
House of Representatives and renowned wine buff, Jonathon
Hunt. Jonathan opened their first bottle of wine in the time-honoured tradition of sabrage.’’
Daniel and Adele sold the original winery and brand in
1996 and then, in 1997, established No 1 Family Estate to continue the family’s winemaking heritage.
The quality of the wines reflects not just Daniel’s Champagne heritage but his deep understanding of the Marlborough climate and soil types. He knows what he needs to do in the vineyard to be able to craft a range of sparkling wines that have personality and that ooze quality.
While Daniel has family roots dating back to the 1700s in the Champagne region of France, the wines he makes here are referred to as sparkling wines made in the traditional French way (methode traditionelle) because only wines grown in the Champagne region are allowed to be called champagne.
The family heritage (as a 12th generation vigneron) Daniel brings to his winemaking at No 1 Family Estate means he uses traditional Champagne winemaking techniques to make his range of methode traditionelle wines.
In 2012 Adele, along with founding partners Nautilus and Cloudy Bay, set up Methode Marlborough. Members must conform to the traditional method of secondary fermentation in the bottle, followed by riddling and ageing for a minimum of 18 months on lees before disgorging.
Methode Marlborough wines must be made exclusively using 100% Marlborough grown grapes either as a blend or alone.
‘‘Importantly, Methode Marlborough members use the traditional grape varietals of Champagne and adhere strictly to the traditional method and is an assurance of quality from our region,’’ says Adele.
Adele and Daniel’s children have joined the family business after following their own pathways; daughter Virginie was a successful actress and TV presenter.
She moved to London for a few years and discovered a passion for selling fine wines and spirits. She returned to New Zealand in 2017 and is now the sales director for No 1 Family Estate.
Son Remy gained a diploma in film and a qualification in fitness and personal training before joining the No 1 Family Estate business after a visit to the family winery in Champagne. He will be the 13th generation of Le Brun family winemakers.
At No 1 Family Estate they have a wine for every occasion. The range starts with the No 1 Family Estate Assemble for about $32 and reaches all the way to the stunning Cuvee Adele at around $270 a bottle.
One of my favourites is the No 1 Rose NV ($42) that is made from 100% pinot noir grapes. This wine has a beautiful pale pink colour with delicate floral cherry and yeast aromas.
For me the wines handcrafted by the Le Brun family in Marlborough are exceptional wines that express the very best characters of New Zealand grapes through the lens of centuries of premium winemaking in Champagne.