Bibbys set sail with passion

BY DEBORAH WALTON AND PETER MORICE

One of Marlborough's newer boutique wine companies is Bibby Wines. Owned by Andy and Kris Bibby, the company has been established as a response to the current challenges facing many growers in the New Zealand wine industry.

But let's start at the beginning. Andy and Kris Bibby moved back to Kris' home country of New Zealand in 1998, having spent time in Africa and Britain. The couple built up a successful tractor dealership before selling up to focus on their vineyard.

By 2009, the decision was made to build a small winery and, with the help of winemaker Allen Hedgman, a new label was born. It has been an intense and exciting time for the Bibbys as they set about making their first pinot noir. Pinot is a very particular variety, requiring extra effort in both the vineyard and the winery if you want to produce a good wine.

Andy says that together with Allen, he and Kris nursed their pinot noir through ferment and hand-plunging day and night before allowing it a quiet time to mature in oak barrels.

"This wine has been very much hand-crafted," he says, "because we had no other way. We bottled it early February and are extremely pleased with the result."

The Bibbys also grow sauvignon blanc but that fruit is contracted to another company. It's ironic that after setting up a winery to provide a home for the pinot noir, the couple had to buy in sauvignon blanc and pinot gris fruit in order to extend the Bibby portfolio – having a Marlborough sauvignon blanc to sell makes entry into overseas markets a little easier.

Speaking of overseas markets, Andy has recently travelled to Marlborough, Wiltshire (England) promoting his wines at the Marlborough Jazz Festival. He's one of a contingent from Marlborough, New Zealand over there to promote all the province has to offer under the umbrella of the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce.

As for the wines – they feature the distinctive Bibby label with its magnificent sailing ship, reflecting the fact that, back in 1807, John Bibby founded a shipping line in Liverpool, England. The Bibby Line, with some modern ships, is still operated by the family today. The label has been designed to signify the connection with Andy's entrepreneurial ancestor. An entrepreneurial attitude appears to run in the family.

A reminder: We've heard there's still time to buy tickets to the Hunter's Garden Marlborough Degustation Dinner being held on Saturday, November 6 at Drylands Restaurant on Hammerichs Rd. The five-course dinner showcases Marlborough produce and Hunter's wines, including some special wines chosen for this event. Music is by Vintage Vibes and the cost is $130pp. Bookings can be made at Garden Marlborough, 92 High St or call 0800627527.

Bibby Wines Marlborough Pinot Noir 09

Colour: Light, bright crimson – young and beautiful in the glass.

Aroma: Ripe cherries and summer plums, the aroma is lightly oaked with a whiff of chariness; some pleasant sweet strawberry/vanilla notes add interest.

Taste: A well structured wine – gentle acids and firm tannins sit well with rich, ripe plum and dark cherry flavours. Some spicy oak adds balance and there's an appealing chocolate, coffee and berry jam finish. The aftertaste doesn't linger but there's enough juicy fruit flavour in this wine to guarantee its place as a pleasant, easy-drinking pinot.

Price: Good buying at $25.99. Available from Liquorland Blenheim and FreshChoice Springlands or email at info@bibbywines.com

Hunter's Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2009

Aroma: Beautifully integrated notes – a subtle blend of stone fruit and lychees; intensely floral with rose Turkish delight highlights – rich, rewarding and sophisticated.

Taste: Gentle acids and spicy warmth give way to gentle rose Turkish delight and mandarin flavours. These sit well with the spicier flavours. The finish and aftertaste are warming and lingering. A very approachable off-dry wine that is weighty, layered and subtle and has tonnes of charm.

Price: $22.90.

Sacred Hill Halo Hawke's Bay Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc 2008

Colour: A deep, dark, velvety red – bright with flashes of purple.

Aroma: Blackberries and smoky charry oak; rich, ripe and plummy with some savoury marmite notes, woody spice and a fresh minty whiff. A lovely blend of concentrated fresh fruit and oak work.

Taste: Drying to the point of being dusty. Some ripe plum jam flavours, rich nuttiness and a hint of cocoa powder are a pleasant foil for the tannins but remain dominant right across the palate. Green herbal flavours appear towards the finish, which remains steadfastly dry and fruity. An elegant wine that would work best with food – and that's just fine.

Price: $20.90.

- The Marlborough Express