Vidal

In 1888 Barcelona-born Anthony Joseph Vidal arrived in New Zealand. He had sailed across the world from Spain, with just an apple and a penny in his pocket, to join his Uncle Joseph Soler, who was one of New Zealand's pioneering winemakers. Anthony learnt the art of viticulture and winemaking under the mentorship of his uncle and in 1900 he was ready to set up on his own - but his first plantings were unsuccessful. Undeterred Anthony began the search for a suitable place where the climate and soil were right for him to be able to make the continental style wines he favoured. This perfect spot was found in Hastings in Hawke's Bay on the east coast of the North Island where Anthony acquired an old racing stable which he converted into a rudimentary winery, and in 1905 founded Vidal. Success followed and the ambitious Anthony expanded into Marlborough (in the north of the South Island). Vidal remained family-owned until the 1970's when it was purchased by George Fistonich, who was expanding having established Villa Maria in 1961, and today Vidal remains a brand of Villa Maria. Vidal is committed to the environment and farm sustainably and organically. A founding member of the Living Wine group, Vidal gained ISO 14001 certification in 1998 and is a member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand and BioGro certified. Vidal use traditional methods coupled with modern technologies to produce elegant, terroir-driven multi-awarded wines with strong regional personalities. From Marlborough Vidal currently produce two Sauvignon Blancs and one Pinot Noir: these are intense, fruit-driven wines. In Hawke's Bay Vidal are still based in the original site established by the founder, the young innovative Spanish immigrant who recognised the potential of Hawke's Bay for growing vines. Here six ranges are produced. The Gimblett Gravels is a range of four full-bodied and complex red wines, produced from the free-draining shingle soils of the unique Gimblett Gravels subregion, which has earned a reputation as one of the best red wine-producing regions in the world. The Estate wines are approachable, vibrant and easy-drinking. Reserve wines are elegant and concentrated with true regional expression. Soler are handcrafted in honour of the founder's uncle who taught him the art of viticulture and winemaking. The complex and age-worth Legacy wines are made in limited quantities, and only in the best vintages. The pinnacle of the collection is the 1888 Hawke's Bay Chardonnay, only crafted in the most exceptional years and in extremely limited quantities. This is a tribute to Vidal's founder, a sensational wine to mark the year Anthony Joseph Vidal arrived in New Zealand to found what would become a sensational winery.