Our Spirits
Johanneshof Cellars Edelbrand
Grape Brandy Solely made from 100 % hand-harvested grapes grown in Marlborough, Johanneshof Cellars’ Edelbrand has been maturing deep in our underground cellar for some 24 years. Aged in Limousine barrels this premium Marlborough brandy is blended like the best cognacs using the solera method guaranteeing you the finest quality of brandies. Good Things Take Time A unique product has been part of Johanneshof Cellars’ range of products since our inception in 1991. Johanneshof is one of a few New Zealand companies who produce a Grape Brandy. Called “EDELBRAND” it is made from 100% Marlborough grapes, distilled twice like a Cognac and matured for more than 24 years in small Limousine oak casks. The name “EDELBRAND” translates to “noble brandy” from German. Only the best brandies deserve to be named “Edelbrand” in Germany and our Johanneshof Edelbrand plays on the name of one of our Owners, German born Edel. Deep in our cellar in Koromiko, “EDELBRAND” has been maturing now for twentyfour years in French limousine and troncais oak barrels which are stored in our underground cellar twenty metres under the surface of our vineyard. During the maturation process few people were fortunate enough to taste it, when we took a small sample out of the barrel using a glass ‘winethief’. Admittedly the enjoyment we get out of doing these regular barrel tastings no doubt will have contributed to the prolonged time we let this precious liquid mature! “EDELBRAND” was first released in 2000 after maturing for 10 years. Since then every year different barrels are blended together in the 'Solera' method, going back to our first vintage in 1991. Using the ‘Solera’ method, part of each barrel is used for the new cuvée and that part replaced in the barrel with spirit from the next oldest barrrel which gets topped with the same amount of the next oldest barrel, and so on. This guarantees continuity in age and composition. Derived from Marlborough grapes every year we ferment these grapes to a purpose-made wine in order to distill it twice, like a cognac. It takes 11 barrels of wine to make one barrel of spirit of around 65% alcohol content, which will gain the beautiful amber colour from years of maturation in oak casks. After cutting it back to 38% alcohol we finally bottle the precious liquid into Italian brandy bottles, cork and hand seal it with sealing wax. Enjoy Edelbrand neat and make it a highlight of your next celebration. |
Johanneshof Cellars Grappa
Johanneshof Cellars’ Grappa follows the great European traditions of Germany, Italy and France, and is made from fermented Gewürztraminer grape skins from a single vintage -selected from our top vineyards in Marlborough. Eau de Vie After an eight week ferment in small 500 litre fomenters the skins are then transferred whole to the still where they are distilled twice in order to achieve a pure and concentrated l’eau de vie. This double distillation helps to unmask the spicy rose petal and Turkish delight characters of the Gewürztraminer grape. The resultant spirit is then placed into a small stainless steel tank and left to marry together for some time prior to being bottled unfiltered in 500ml bottles. 
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