Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) announced yesterday 28 March that it has been granted regulatory approval for the settlement of a premium vineyard in Marlborough, New Zealand. This confirmation follows on from TWE’s initial announcement of purchase intention that was issued in November last year.
Once operational, the vineyard will focus on growing highly sought-after lighter varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir to supply TWE’s New Zealand wine brands including Matua and Squealing Pig.
“This expansion of our New Zealand footprint not only aligns with evolving consumer preferences but also reaffirms our commitment to driving innovative and sustainable practices across all our sites and operations,” said Kerrin Petty, Chief Supply and Sustainability Officer at TWE.
“From improving operational efficiencies with hybrid autonomous vehicles to driving water stewardship and zero waste to landfill by 2050, we’re making great strides against our ambitions in New Zealand, and I’m pleased that we can continue to do so with this new acquisition while maximising premium wine production potential.”
The purchase signifies a significant step forward for TWE’s Marlborough presence, increasing its footprint from 505 hectares to 750 hectares. It also reinforces TWE’s focus on the Marlborough region for its New Zealand brands, which saw it sell off two of its Hawkes Bay vineyards in 2017.
“The acquisition of the new vineyard, which includes its own water reservoir, is an important step in expanding our premium wine portfolio and ensuring we remain in front of evolving consumer preferences,” said Petty.
“Consumers love our New Zealand wines – particularly in the U.S where Matua is known as one of their ‘hot brands’. We want to keep making the wines that consumers love and with lighter varietals continuing to trend, this additional vineyard will ensure we can keep up with consumer demand – now and well into the future.”
The purchase of the Wairau Valley vineyard is the latest premium vineyard acquisition for TWE, and follows on from its acquisition of DAOU vineyards last year and the 2022 acquisition of Yarar Valley’s Beenak vineyard.
