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Discover our finest wines from the iconic, certified organic Clayvin Vineyard, renowned worldwide. This celebrated Marlborough site sets the standard for premium wines, delivering pure and extraordinary expressions of its unique terroir.
On the nose our Single Vineyard Clayvin Syrah has beautiful, bright, aromatic fruit aromas of blueberry and plum which meld with violet, cinnamon and nutmeg unlined with an aniseed influence. Its powerful palate is full of texture and concentration with a lingering savoury finish.
With over four decades of winemaking experience, the three Giesen brothers are intimately acquainted with Marlborough’s best vineyards and terroir. World renowned vineyard ‘Clayvin’ has historically set the standard for premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir production from Marlborough. These wines deliver exceptional, pure expressions of the Clayvin Vineyard which we’re proud to share with you.
Certified organic, this north-facing hillside vineyard is nurtured with meticulous hands-on viticulture following biodynamic principles. The clay soils, varied root stocks and high density planted 30+ year old vines reduce vigour and promote root structure, delivering highly concentrated fruit with great structure, tannin and minerality.
Clayvin vineyard is a living tribute to Marlborough’s viticultural history. Organic with 30 year old vines, clay soil, high density plantings deliver wines of great concentration and richness. Our finest wines from a distinctive, revered vineyard.
Southern Valleys, Marlborough, New Zealand. - Clayvin Vineyard
Clayvin Syrah was crafted with minimal intervention, featuring hand harvesting, sorting, and gentle cold soaking. A 10-day indigenous yeast ferment peaked at 29°C, followed by 21 days on skins and 15 days post-ferment maceration for tannin refinement. Aged 14 months in 100% French oak (40% new).
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Clayvin is a living tribute to Marlborough’s viticultural history. Certified organic and planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah, this incredible site features 30-year-old vines, dense clay soil, high-density plantings, and receives the utmost care and attention befitting of our prized vineyard. Read more
In a time of global change, Chief Winemaker Jeremy Tod took the bull by the horns and opted for one more – a new role with the Giesen Group. Read more
"A delightful ripe primary fruit nose includes balsamic notes and blackberries. The gorgeous, complex palate consists of perfectly weighted blackcurrant notes, structured tannins and an umami richness coming through on the very long finish.
2019 Vintage, Awarded Platinum Medal July 2021"
Decanter World Wine Awards
"Who says you can’t grow great syrah in Marlborough? This very classy red is boldly coloured, with a fragrant, spicy bouquet. Still very youthful, it has concentrated plum, spice and black pepper flavours, seasoned with oak, a hint of liquorice, impressive complexity and a well-structured, lasting finish. Best drinking 2024+. Certified organic.
2019 Vintage, Reviewed November 2020."
Michael Cooper, Winestate New Zealand
"Intense, aromatic and textural syrah with bright raspberry, dark cherry and black-fleshed plum flavours. Quite rich for a cool-climate syrah. A backbone of crisp acidity adds energy and aging potential. Drink now - 2029.
2019 Vintage, Reviewed February 2021."
Bob Campbell, The Real Review
"This is stunningly beautiful and exquisitely refined, showing Black Doris plum, dark cherry, game, almond and violet aromas on the nose, leading to a superbly concentrated palate exhibiting outstanding fruit purity and poise. It's silky, flowing and seamless with layers of complex flavours backed by fine tannins, ensuring its graceful development. At its best: 2024 to 2034.
2019 Vintage, Reviewed November 2020."
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
"2012 Vintage: This Northern Rhone-like syrah displays dark plum, spiced cherry, thyme and tapenade aromas with a light dusting of pepper spice. It is beautifully weighted and rounded on the palate and displays excellent fruit purity as well as spicy/savoury notes, wonderfully framed by fine, chewy tannins. A gorgeous food partner to slow-cooked meat dishes. At its best: now to 2022."
Sam Kim - Wine Orbit
"2012 Vintage: Deep, bright colour. Fragrant and mouth-filling, with generous, ripe plum, pepper and olive flavours, savoury and lingering. Enjoyed by all judges."
Winestate
"2012 Vintage: Raspberry red core. Metallic, earthy, spicy red-black fruits on the nose. Rich and silky palate with cooked plums."
International Wine Challenge
"From mature vines in the Brancott Valley, the 2012 vintage is dark, with a fragrant, peppery, spicy, earthy, savoury bouquet. It has rich, ripe plum, spice and dried-herb flavours, strongly seasoned with oak, and good texture and complexity"
Michael Cooper Buyer’s Guide
