Giesen Uncharted Chardonnay

Theo, Alex and Marcel are the brothers at Giesen. They’ve got good wine in their blood. And good food. And beer too actually. That’s because their granddad August (aw-goost) was a sommelier and their great granddad Leonard Kaiser was a brewer!

Originally from Germany the Giesen brothers ended up in Marlborough in the early 80s while on their round-the-world travels. They fell in love with the place and decided to lay down roots. They purchased some land and planted a vineyard just outside of Christchurch. A few years later released their first ever wine – the 1984 Giesen Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc! Three decades on they’re one of Marlborough’s kingpin producers.

Their latest “Uncharted” series is the three Giesen brothers’ tribute to the area they call home, Marlborough. This is the debut release 2020 vintage of the Giesen Uncharted Chardonnay and it’s certainly been quite the hit!

Not only is a favourite among the team at Giesen – it’s scored big with Master of Wine Bob Campbell in The Real Review. Bob scored it 93/100 and gave it a Top Ranking award, with it being his No.1 rated Marlborough Chardonnay from the 2020 vintage (as at July 2021).

Bob said “From hand-picked grapes grown in the Wairau and Southern Valleys. Smooth-textured, mouth-filling chardonnay with grapefruit, green apple, oyster-shell, bread crust and brioche flavours. A fruit-focused and appealing wine.”

Drink now to 2025 and if you’re looking for the perfect food match the Giesen guys and girls reckon this is perfect with Cloudy Bay clams with speck and Italian parsley.