CLOS MARGUERITE

Clos Marguerite sits on a narrow terrace, perched 16m above the South Bank of the Awatere River, between Mt Tapuae-O-Ueneku and the Pacific. A harsh place. Exposed to the sun and the wind. Dust, lots of stones and gravels, and deep rock. A small clos, where Jean-Charles and Marguerite anchored, almost 20 years ago. The place where this European winemaker and his wife planted their 8ha single vineyard, build their winery and their home. They planted close, they planted low, they prune short. Clos Marguerite, the place where we enjoy tending our vines and making small batches of aged worthy gastronomy wines.

Jean-Charles Van Hove

Once upon a time, Jean-Charles sailed all the way from his European motherland to New Zealand. He was young and adventurous. Lover of the sea, he succumb to the charms of Aotearoa. He felt in love with the land, he felt in love with the people, he felt in love with the shine and vibrancy of the smells.Chapter two: our hero is back as an accomplished winemaker, viticulturist and soils scientist. He had drifted in many vineyards, making wine here, pruning there, studying the soils a bit everywhere, seeking for the perfect terroir. Chapter three: no place is like Marlborough.