Nautilus Estate
In the stunningly beautiful wine-growing region of Marlborough, located in the north-easternmost corner of New Zealand's South Island, the Nautilus Estate of Marlborough, founded in 1985, produces expressive, structured and precise wines inspired by the mathematically perfect spiral of the nautilus shell (sea snail).
When the winery was founded, there were around 80 wineries in New Zealand, today there are over 700, and yet the family-run winery has remained small and manageable – the owner Robert Hill Smith is a fifth-generation winemaker. This family ownership means that the winery benefits from generations of experience with the ups and downs of viticulture.
Nautilus' recipe for success is carefully selected vineyards in various regions in Marlborough, such as the well-known Wairau Valley or the neighbouring Awatere Valley, which offer optimal conditions for the cultivation of grape varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The climate is characterised by warm summers – Marlborough has one of the highest hours of sunshine in New Zealand with an average of over 2,400 hours of sunshine per year – cool nights and a moderate maritime influence thanks to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. This leads to a slow ripening of the grapes and optimal development of the flavours. The soils are characterised by a combination of clay and pebbles, which provide excellent drainage and influence the character of the wines. These unique conditions and sustainable cultivation contribute to the remarkable freshness, intensity and complexity of the Nautilus wines.
Winemaker and cellar master Clive Jones and the whole team at Nautilus Estate in Marlborough know what is important when it comes to wine quality and have remained true to the mantra of never wanting to be the biggest, but always striving for the best and with great success. Nautilus now enjoys a reputation as one of the best wineries in New Zealand!
White wines from Nautilus Estate
from Nautilus Estate
Producer
Castello del Terriccio
Castello del Terriccio is one of the largest agricultural estates in Tuscany (Province of Pisa) with its own microclimate. The approximately 1700 hectares extend from the northern end of the Maremma to the Tyrrhenian Sea. The vineyards enjoy a south-southwest exposure with the warming and luminous effect of the sea. The Mediterranean maquis and the eucalyptus trees growing all around it not only protect the grapes from the wind, but also imbue them with the scents and aromas that give the wines of the Terriccio their distinctive flavour.
Domaine des Pères de l'Eglise
In 1933, the winegrowers and wine merchants of Châteauneuf-du-Pape were the first to impose quality rules relating to the cultivation and production of wines that would bear the name Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The geographic definition of the cultivation area, along with the other regulations, is still in force today, in order to guarantee the wine quality for connoisseurs. The Gradassi family of the Domaine des Pères de l’Église is following the tradition, but with the fresh impetus provided by the young fourth generation.
Cascina Barisél / Franco Penna
With just 5 hectares, Franco Penna's winery is small but exquisite. The estate near Canelli, east of Alba, comprises only the very best south-facing sites with calcareous soils. Franco's father Enrico, who bought the estate in the 1960s, obviously knew what he was doing.