Yealands Estate

Yealands Estate is a large wine estate located in the Awatere Valley in Marlborough, New Zealand. Like many in the region, Yealands is best known for its wines made from Sauvignon Blanc, although Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling also feature in the portfolio.

The company was started in 2008 when Peter Yealands, who wanted to create a self-sufficient winery, amassed roughly 2471 acres (1000 hectares) across the Marlborough wine region. While many thought that the terrain was too rugged and windy, Yealands used terracing and GPS technology to best configure the vineyards. The vineyards are planted mostly to cool-climate white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Gris, but red varieties are also planted, including Pinot Noir, and some Syrah and Merlot.

Yealands has several tiers of wines, the most exclusive being its Estate Reserve, which includes a Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc and is only produced in the best years. Then there is the Single Block Series, the Single Vineyard Series, Estate Land Made Series, Peter Yealands Reserve, and the entry-level Peter Yealands Series. Additionally, two sparkling wines are produced. (© Copyright material, Wine-Searcher.com)

Yealands has the largest privately owned vineyard in New Zealand, and is the first winery in the world to be certified as carboNZeroCertTM, a distinction that recognizes that they emit zero carbon emissions into the environment. In 2015, utility company Marlborough Lines bought an 80-percent stake in the company, but Peter Yealands remains a shareholder.