We are thrilled to present Marlborough Heartland, a new super-premium Sauvignon Blanc borne out of a fruitful collaboration between Marlborough Grape Growers Cooperative (MGGC), renowned winemaker David Hohnen, and entrepreneur Rupert Clevely.
This new venture embodies the spirit of Marlborough’s vineyards and the ethos of its growers, whom we proudly represent. We see this partnership as a return to the ‘original heartland’ of Marlborough, an opportunity to pay tribute to the very roots of New Zealand’s world-famous Sauvignon Blanc.
Our vision marries the quality of Marlborough’s vineyards with the pursuit of excellence in wine craftsmanship.
David Hohnen, a revered name in the wine industry and the visionary behind Cloudy Bay, has once again embarked on an ambitious project to capture the essence of Marlborough’s valleys – the Wairau, the Waihopai, and the Awatere – in a bottle.
Teaming up with Rupert Clevely, an old ally and founder of Crackerjack Wines, the duo set out on a search for a partner in New Zealand, leading them to the doorstep of MGGC and its talented winemaker Drew Ellis, a New Yorker turned Kiwi, who’s been creating extraordinary wines in the heart of Marlborough.
Our hope is that Marlborough Heartland is an expression of the intimate relationship between the land, the grower, and the winemaker. It is an appreciation of MGGC, where the profits of our labours stay within the local community, amplifying the unique character and quality of the Marlborough region.
Our new Marlborough Heartland 2022 Sauvignon Blanc will make its debut in Sainsbury’s supermarkets across the UK in July 2023. Following the UK launch, we plan to extend its availability to Australia, the US, and New Zealand.
In the words of Rupert Clevely, “This is about getting the best juice, the best fruit from the original heartland of Marlborough. And then the most important thing is that the wine tastes bloody good. I think it’s the most exciting project I’ve been involved in for many years.”
We hope you enjoy Marlborough Heartland, a wine that is not only a taste of Marlborough’s heritage but a testament to the power of collaboration and passion.
Yours in Wine,
Dave Hohnen and Marlborough Grape Growers Cooperative
About Marlborough Grape Growers Cooperative (MGGC)
Celebrating its tenth year in operation, Marlborough Grape Growers Cooperative (MGGC) is renowned for its exemplary Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region. MGGC stands apart as a cooperative, owned and operated by its members, who reap benefits including assured supply agreements, annual profit share, and essential support for successful crop cultivation. Rather than simply selling wine, MGGC crafts bespoke wines in collaboration with global wine buyers, catering to the unique demands of their markets. As a cooperative, profit stays local, so in supporting MGGC you help support a vibrant Marlborough community.
David Hohnen BIO
David Hohnen is a veteran winemaker and industry visionary renowned for his contributions to the global wine community. In 1970, he co-founded Cape Mentelle Vineyards in Margaret River, and in 1985, he launched the acclaimed Cloudy Bay brand. Currently, he is working with Crackerjack Wines, a company he runs with his daughter Freya, where they support smaller farmers and cooperatives worldwide, including Marlborough Grape Growers Cooperative. In 2018 David was made a member of the Order of Australia. Despite his achievements, David continues to be motivated by the journey of wine creation rather than the destination.
(L to R) - David Hohnen, MGGC winemaker Drew Ellis and Heartland growers Mel and Chris Hammond
The 2022 vintage is available exclusively at Sainsbury’s UK.