Giesen Group is riding high on its successes, having been awarded the New Zealand Winery of the year 2018 and a swag of medals at the 5th Melbourne International Wine Competition.
The gongs are welcome in the company's prized Australian market, in which it is among the top five white wine producers under the Giesen and Ara Wines brand.
Originally from Germany, brothers Alex, Theo and Marcel launched Giesen in 1981, with their original vineyard at Burnham, near Christchurch. They chose the location for its proximity to research just down the road in Lincoln, considering which cool climate vines could grow best in New Zealand’s fledging wine industry.
Almost forty years later as Giesen Group they are an export success with the Giesen and Ara brands, and locally have found a market with the Kaiser Brothers Brewery range of craft beers.
They credit their grandfather, sommelier August, great grandfather Leonhard Kaiser who was a brewer, and their parents with giving them their DNA for drinks and hospitality.
The Group now focuses on sustainable vineyards and winemaking technology, and own multiple vineyards throughout Marlborough's Wairau Valley, forging relationships with around 50 growers in the area.
Giesen Wines owns 13 vineyards in total, of which 11% are certified organic with BioGro New Zealand.
2018: $170 million