Major Marlborough development

Cat Creek, located at North Bank in the Wairau Valley, will have nearly 200ha of Sauvignon Blanc vines when fully developed.

It is the first viticulture venture in the South Island for the food and fibre investment company, which has vineyard holdings in Gisborne and Central Hawke’s Bay.

“The Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc story continues to provide strong long-term fundamentals that make further expansion attractive,” says Craigmore’s General Manager Horticulture Con Williams.

Craigmore will invest $40 million in the development over the next two years and about 3,000 tonnes will be harvested from the vineyard at maturity, with an export value of more than $20 million.

Craigmore has partnered with Babich Wines and the wine company’s Marlborough team will be responsible for the management and development of the vineyard.

“It’s rare to have access to such a sizeable vineyard development,” says Babich Wines Chief Executive David Babich. “There is a lot of common ground between our two businesses, most prominently our shared view that environmental stewardship and long-term, sustainable business success go hand in hand.”

Babich Wines will also invest additional capital into its Marlborough winery to increase processing capacity to cater for additional grape supply.