Wine maker and NBR Rich Lister Peter Yealands' has launched New Zealand's first ''Sauvignoir''.

The lighter red wine was made primarily from Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc by his Marlborough production firm Yealands Estate Wines.

It was blended with a Teinturier, a red grape variety from Chile which gave it a vibrant red colour.

Yealands, who has gained a reputation for doing things differently, said the wine has been developed to meet a growing consumer demand for innovative Sauvignon Blanc wine styles.

''Whilst we are having enormous success with our Sauvignon Blanc on the international stage, we need to be mindful that consumer wine tastes continue to evolve and trying new wine styles is part of what makes wine consumption enjoyable for many,'' he said.

Interest in the 2012 Peter Yealands Sauvignoir had been significant, he added, with the entire volume from the first vintage already allocated.

The wine had been in development for over a year, during which time red grape varieties from all over the globe were experimented with.

''There has been a lot of speculation over the composition of the wine with some inventive ideas discussed. Whilst we have looked at new varieties and processes, our Sauvignoir has very much been made using traditional wine making practices and then blended with a small amount of Teinturier,'' Yealands said.

The Teinturier would only be used in the short-term, until a replacement could be grown on Yealands' Awatere vineyard in Marlborough.

Yealands companies own more than 1500 hectares of vineyards mainly in Marlborough, and Hawke's Bay, according to the Rich List. He said the privately owned winery featured green technology its design and function and received carboNZeroCertTM certification in April 2009.

- © Fairfax NZ News