Montana Wines
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| Montana Wines | |
 |
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| Type | Wholly owned subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1961 |
| Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Industry | wine |
| Employees | 750 (permanent) |
| Parent | Pernod-Ricard |
| Website | http://www.montana.co.nz |
Montana Wines is New Zealand's largest wine company, owning vineyards in Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Marlborough, and Waipara.
Contents |
[edit] History
Montana was founded by a Croatian immigrant, Ivan Yukich ( Jukić ), who planted his first vines in 1934 in the Waitakere Ranges west of Auckland. The first wine was sold in 1944, and by 1960, 10 hectares were planted. Ivan's sons, Mate and Frank, had become involved, and they set up the company Montana Wines in 1961. By the end of the 1960s, the company had expanded further, planting land south of Auckland.
In 1973, the company expanded into Gisborne and Marlborough. Montana exported its first wines in 1980.
[edit] Corporate History
Montana was listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange, initially as 'Corporate Investments Limited', and then as Montana Wines. Montana successfully purchased Corbans Wines in November 2002, New Zealand's second largest producer. Montana was then itself bought out by Allied Domecq in 2001, after trumping Lion Nathan's takeover offer. Allied Domecq was then subsequently bought by Pernod-Ricard in 2005, and Montana now operates under the name Pernod Ricard NZ Ltd.
[edit] Wineries
Montana has five wineries spread around the country.
[edit] Brancott Winery
Located on State Highway 1, just south of Blenheim, the Brancott winery predominantly produces Sauvignon blanc, and makes wine from Waipara and Marlborough regions. Many of the grapes for Montana's sparkling wines are pressed here, but secondary fermentation is carried out at the Tamaki Winery. It was opened in 1977.
[edit] Church Road Winery
Founded in 1897, the Church Road Winery is one of the three oldest in the Hawkes Bay. The first commercial Cabernet Sauvignon in New Zealand was produced here in 1949 by Tom McDonald. The Church Road facility was purchased by Montana in 1988. It continues as a relatively boutique operation compared to the other wineries, mainly contributing to the Church Road brands.
[edit] Corbans Winery
The Corbans winery was established by McWilliams Wines in 1981, changing hands to Cooks in 1984, Corbans in 1987, and Montana in 2000. It is a more commercial scale facility than Church Road and contributes to Longridge, Corbans, Verde, Huntaway and Robard & Butler brands.
[edit] Montana Gisborne Winery
Montana Gisborne Winery has the largest wine-making capacity in the country. Montana's original facility was acquired in 1973, from the business established by Joseph Wohnsiedler (whose name lives on in a Montana product line). Two further adjacent facilities have been incorporated, from Penfolds NZ in 1986 and Corbans in 2000.
[edit] Tamaki Winery
All Montana wines are bottled at the Tamaki Winery in Auckland, opened in 1975. This also means that all sparkling wines undergo secondary fermentation (in the bottle) in Auckland.
[edit] Key Brands
Montana operates a large number of different brands. Ranked approximately in order of prestige
[edit] Church Road
The Tom McDonald Winery on Church Road represents a flagship brand, although not obviously associated with Montana. It is located in Taradale near Napier, and produces Cabernet blends, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon blanc. Church Road sub-labels are:
- Tom. (premium Cabernet blend, one of New Zealand's most expensive wines)
- Church Road Reserve
- Church Road
[edit] Montana
Montana has several levels under the label Montana. The most prestigious 'estate' label consists of a single vineyard wine deemed to come from the premium growing area for that variety, labelled by the first letter of that vineyard.
- Estate Range: "B" Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough), "O" Ormond Estate Chardonnay (Gisborne), "P" Patutahi Estate Gewürztraminer (Gisborne), Terraces "T" Pinot Noir (Marlborough). Discontinued: "R" Renwick Estate Chardonnay, (Marlborough), "F" Fairhall Estate Marlborough Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot (Marlborough).
- Montana Reserve
- Montana
[edit] Deutz
From 1988, Montana's premium sparkling wine brand has been a collaboration with Champagne Deutz of France.
- Deutz Marlborough Cuvée
- Deutz Blanc de Blanc
- Deutz Pinot Noir Cuvée.
[edit] Lindauer
A standalone brand for sparkling wine.
- Lindauer Special Reserve Cuvee
- Lindauer
