From the sun-soaked shores of Waiheke Island to the dramatic peaks of Marlborough and Bannockburn, Swiftsure is an adventurous new collection of exceptional wines from the makers of Man O’ War. Embodying the same ethos as the storied, Waiheke-based vineyard, Swiftsure wines are bold, confident, and unconventional — showcasing the innovative winemaking Man O’ War is acclaimed for.
With a reputation for producing wines that celebrate and capture the location from which they originate, and with this new venture, it’s to the South Island’s rugged and rocky terroir that the team have turned — establishing vineyards in the iconic, nuanced regions of Bannockburn and Marlborough.
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“Wild yet graceful, untamed yet refined, Swiftsure are wines of purity and power, mirroring the majesty of the South.”
Swiftsure’s lush Sauvignon Blanc is blended from carefully selected sites to capture the essence of Marlborough. Youthful and vibrant, yet with a sophisticated edge, this multi-faceted wine bursts with aromas; an abundance of tropical fruits, crisp citrus and fresh herbs, showcasing the intensity that has made Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc famous the world over. Swiftsure’s southern coast vineyard is situated in Marlborough’s southernmost sub-region in the shadow of the Kaikoura Ranges, and as such, the wine produced here takes on a stunning salinity, with a rich minerality — bursting with fresh, ripe layers.
From Swiftsure Bannockburn comes a wine on the other end of the stylistic spectrum — a bold and brilliant Pinot Noir. From a single vineyard entirely dedicated to producing this varietal, set across gentle, north-facing slopes on a natural river terrace, this wine is poised with a wild edge, rich in aromatics. Both fruitful and savoury, boysenberry, rhubarb, and cherry blossom are interwoven with tendrils of smoke and a faint scent of nori, in a wine as well suited to cellaring as it is savouring immediately — it’s youthful exuberance making for a delightful springtime sipper.
No stranger to challenging conditions, winemaker Duncan McTavish has spent over a decade at the helm of Man O’ War Vineyards — making iconic wines in one of the country’s most unique environments: Waiheke Island. Having studied in Canterbury, he is relishing the opportunity to return to the south where he learnt his craft, complementing the Man O’ War collection with the introduction of Swiftsure. Likewise, longstanding Man O’ War Viticulturist Sam Taylor has fully embraced the southern venture, relocating with his family from Waiheke Island to lead Swiftsure’s viticultural operations in the iconic Marlborough region — while continuing to maintain a guiding eye over Man O’ War.
And, as much as Man O’ War is revered for its wines, the vineyard’s restaurant and tasting room, along with their brand new Forest Flight experience, has become a renowned escape and unmissable experience on Waiheke Island, something the team is primed to replicate in the South. Drawing on his impressive background in global hospitality and sales, Paul Franich will spearhead the opening of a vibrant new restaurant in Arrowtown next year, offering oenophiles and novices alike the chance to explore the world of Swiftsure in one of the country’s most picturesque settings.
Inspired by the South Island’s rugged beauty and the adventurous Kiwi spirit it fosters, Swiftsure celebrates those that embrace epic journeys and the wines that mark the moment.
Only at the beginning of their journey, with a host of exciting plans in the pipeline, Swiftsure is certainly one to watch. Keep up to date with new releases, events, bespoke offers, and the launch of their Arrowtown eatery here.
