N° 1 Family Estate

New Zealand methode traditionelle specialist and Champagne-maker, Daniel Le Brun, launched his wholly family-owned wine producing business in July 1999, utilising the same processes perfected by his Champagne-making family in France over the last 12 generations.

The winery has been set up with state of the art processing equipment, imported from Champagne.  Marketer and Champagne-maker Adele and Daniel Le Brun, and their children Virginie and Remy own the company.  Virginie is an actress and also engaged in marketing the wine and Remy has worked in both Winery and Cellar Door.

This venture is dedicated solely to the production of only methode traditionelle.  The five methodes produced at N° 1 Family Estate are Cuvée N° 1, a non-vintage blanc de blancs (100% chardonnay), No 1 Rosé a non-vintage, 100% Pinot Noir, Cuvée Number 8, a non-vintage blend and when appropriate three vintage blends created in only the finest years, namely Cuvée Remy 2007, Cuvée Virginie 2006 and released for the first time in October 2012, Cuvee Adele 2009.  Production will remain focused and will always be a limited edition, thereby allowing attention to detail and use of only top quality grapes.

Born in the village of Monthelon in France’s Champagne region, our winemaker came to New Zealand in 1975 looking for land suitable to develop into methode champenoise vineyards.  A 12^th generation Champagne-maker Daniel Le Brun’s family have been producing Champagne since 1648, and still do to this day.  Father Rene, brother Jean-Claude and sister Isabel all produce under their own labels.

In July 1996 our winemaker was awarded France’s highest non-military medal, the National Order of Merit in recognition of his services to France and her people, and again in 2002 he was awarded the Order of Merit for services to agriculture. He is not the first member of his family to be decorated by a French government.  His grandfather Nestor Le Brun was awarded France’s highest military medal for valour.

www.no1familyestate.co.nz