Black Cottage
The Black Cottage was David Clouston’s home in the Wairau Valley. Now it symbolizes the estate and down-home feel of the wines and the passion he feels for his Marlborough homeland. For more than a decade, he traveled and made wine in France and the Americas. This inspired him to craft wines with freshness, structure, and terroir-driven identity of his homeland. Returning to New Zealand, David used his family contacts, knowledge, and experience to seek microclimates that give the Black Cottage wines their unique gusto. Expertly elaborated with the help of winemaker Sanna Stander, these wines offer a refreshing take on the classic New Zealand style. Certified SWNZ sustainable
Philosophy
Nestled amongst vineyards, native plantings, olive trees, a cricket ground and lying alongside Marlborough’s Ōpaoa River, Founder Dave Clouston and Winemaker Sanna Stander use the black cottage to host international guests and friends alike. Days are spent playing cricket, clay bird shooting, cooking fresh fish on the BBQ and drinking delicious wine. The company is fun, life is good. As a family run winery, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. In Marlborough our backyard is vineyard country and we see it as our duty, as custodians of this land, to boost biodiversity, increase habitat for native bird life and improve soil health. We do this by being part of the Sustainable Winegrowers New Zealand programme. In 2020 we increased biodiversity by planting over 500 native plants on the banks of the Ōpaoa River. Our riparian planting program will see thousands of native plants established. We use environmentally friendly light weight bottles to reduce carbon emissions. Most of our wines are vegan friendly from the 2020 vintage.
Biography
Growing up in Marlborough, David Clouston spent his youth in the Wairau and Awatere river valleys, where his family have farmed for five generations. Energetic and talented, his experience – hard-earned over 25 vintages worldwide – is the driving force behind Black Cottage.
After immersing himself in the sights, flavors and aromas of countries as diverse as the USA, Chile, Spain, France and Corsica, Dave’s desire to create inspiring wine on the home turf was realized.
Winemaker Sanna Stander - Born, raised and educated in Stellenbosch, South Africa, Sanna gained winemaking experience in South Africa and France before coming to New Zealand in 2004. She loves spending time with her two young children, enjoys cooking, art, and her favourite wines are chardonnay and cabernet franc.
Wines from Black Cottage
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