Framingham’s original vineyard was established in 1981, by Wellingtonian engineer Rex Brooke-Taylor who took the name ‘Framingham’ from his ancestral home town near Norwich, England and is home to some of the oldest Riesling vines in Marlborough. The Framingham Estate is accredited as an environmentally sustainable vineyard, allowing the team to handcraft award-winning wines that people love to drink.
In past years, the brand has been known to produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinotage, Merlot, Merlot-Malbec, Chenin Blanc and Methode Champenoise. But today, the family-owned Sogrape company with ranges including Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Viognier and Montepulciano.
SupermarketNews spoke to the team about the brand and its award-winning top drops.
What characteristics of your wine are influenced by the physical landscape of your winery?
“Our vineyard in the Wairau Valley is on riverbed soils, which give us a fantastic minerality characteristic.”
What is one of the most rewarding things about winemaking?
“Doing vintages in the northern hemisphere when your starting out in this industry is kind of a right-of-passage and great way to see the world, so that’s pretty cool...(tricky to do currently). Latterly the collaboration with other winemakers etc to share ideas and network.”
TASTING NOTES
What was important in making this award-winning wine?
“Our Pinot Noir vineyards performed very well 2019 so we had some great material to work with. It was a warm growing season and the fruit ripened quickly so making the right call re what blocks to pick and when was critical.”
Food Pairing?
“Lamb, duck, salmon and charcuterie.”
How long can you shelf your winning bottle of wine for?
“Now to 2025 would be optimal.”
Who would your wine appeal to?
This wine would appeal to a wide range of Pinot Noir lovers. Stylistically it is approachable whilst having a great depth of flavour at a great price!”
How would you describe this wine to someone who's never had this grape varietal/blend before?
“Pinot Noir is a medium bodied red variety which is fruit forward whilst young but can develop savoury elements as they age.”
If you could do a wine bottle swap with any winery in NZ or the world, which winery and wine would it be with?
“There are heaps of places I like doing swaps with in NZ, the list is long but if I had to name a couple Prophets Rock and Quartz Reef would be at the top of the list, because they’re good.”
FAST FACTS:
Founders: Rex Brooke-Taylor
Current Owner: Sogrape – Guedes Family (Portugal)
Winemaker: Andrew Brown (Brownie)
Location: Renwick, Marlborough
Wine varietals produced:
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Gris
Chardonnay
Classic Riesling
Select Riesling
Noble Riesling
Old Vine Riesling
Montepulciano Rose
Pinot Noir
Gewurztraminer
Pet Nat Montepulciano Rose
Pet Nat Riesling
