Hans Herzog is an organic estate in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. Hans has roots in Switzerland where the family has grown wine grapes since 1630. A pedigree shared with the name ‘Herzog’, believed to have originated around the 12th century in Vienna according to Hans’ ancestors. A journey over centuries from the Rhine valley in 1400 with evidence of growing wine in 1630, to the vineyards of Marlborough in 1994. 

Contact: Therese Herzog manages the estate with husband Hans.

Vineyards: 11.5-hectare vineyard, one of the warmest sites in Marlborough. Hans grows an unconventional range of 25 different grape varieties for age-worthy wines. One of these is Blaufränkisch.

Organic certification: Fully certified organic.

Viticulture: Inter-rows are left with native sward. Buying an inter-vine weeder was the key to ditching herbicides and going organic since 1998.

Winemaking: In the winery ferments for whites are cool (lowish temperatures) and wild (native yeasts). Wines age in a range of oak barrels and vats (as a softener, not to engender oak notes). The grape press (Willmes) dates from 1964.

Red wines

Grandezza: 2019 Debut. New Zealand’s first ‘Super Tuscan-inspired’ red blend say the owners. Grandezza’ means magnificent or stately appearance. 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc. A purposely tiny yield of 800g per vine for natural concentration. Single vineyard, hand-picked from the lowest yield. Long skin contact for intricacy and texture, natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts in French Barriques, no fining, no filtration and matured on its fine lees with 24 months in barrel.