30 March 2011

This year, Lincoln University’s revered Bledisloe Medal is to be awarded to Saint Clair Family Estate’s founder and owner Neal Ibbotson, a past graduate of the Canterbury, New Zealand University. The Bledisloe Medal for 2011 recognises Neal’s outstanding contribution to New Zealand’s land-based interests.

Initiated in 1930 by the late Governor-General of New Zealand, Viscount Bledisloe, the Medal is awarded annually to a former student or staff member of Lincoln University who, in the opinion of Council, has made an outstanding contribution in his or her chosen field, advanced New Zealand’s interests and/or brought credit to Lincoln University. Neal will be attending the award presentation at the Lincoln Events Centre on 6th May 2011.

Neal and his wife Judy, owners and operators of Saint Clair Family Estate, were two of Marlborough’s earliest vineyard pioneers, planting their inceptive vineyard interests in 1978. Knowledge of the soils and climate provided insight into the region’s suitability for grape growing and wine production, and the pig farm that once surrounded the homestead was transformed into a small vineyard with some of the first fruit crops contracted to Montana.

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Desire to see fruit from the vines transformed into quality wine led Neal and Judy to create their own wine brand, Saint Clair, in the early 90s. The launch of Saint Clair wine sparked gold medal accolades - and the cascade of awards has not ceased. As a result, Saint Clair Family Estate is now internationally recognised as a leading New Zealand wine producer.

Today Saint Clair Family Estate is a true family business, with all three children (Sarina, Tony and Julie) involved. “We feel very fortunate to be part of the family business and are enormously proud of what our father has achieved through hard work, determination, passion and drive,” says Julie. “He is an inspiration to us all.”

Through the effort and resulting accomplishment of Neal and Judy Ibbotson, working with a great team at Saint Clair and other like-minded Marlborough wine producers, Marlborough wine is recognised internationally as producing world-class wines of excellence.

ENDS

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