With refreshing acidity, these wines balance terrific fruit density, precise stone fruit and ripe citrus characters, and mealy, nutty complexity. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc has become the benchmark Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and has been named in the Wine Spectator Top 100 four times. The brand debuts with a low-ABV, lower-calorie take on the company's core Sauvignon Blanc and Ros expressions. He joined the brand in 2005, working intimately with the organizer, Kim Crawford. That was the simple business plan for Kim Crawford Wines. The company is based in Marlborough, New Zealand, and produces wines from grapes grown in that region. Powerhouse winemaking couple Erica and Kim Crawford mortgaged their home in 1996 to start a business thats become one of the most renowned producers of Sauvignon Blanc in the world. This chardonnay wine offers a creamy texture and hints of butterscotch, lemon meringue pie, ripe stone fruit, and citrus. New Zealand wine is having a moment just ask the VinePair team. Kim Crawford and his wife Erica now own the Loveblock label, also in Marlborough. Beckstoffer To Kalon and the Mystery Bottle. Its all about acid and carefully watching the sugar balance, she said. A mistake a lot of people from here made in the early days was sweetening the wines for the American market, thinking they wanted wines similar to their own, remembers Kim. [i] IRI Total US Multi Outlet-Convenience L52 weeks ending 2/24/2019 Kim Crawford was responsible for Illuminate Sauvignon Blanc. . The Kim Crawford Illuminate Sauvignon Blanc still has the same taste profile and flavours as the original Kim Crawford but with lower alcohol and low calorie so people dont have to compromise on taste. So if youre looking for a wine to be ideal for entertaining, make sure to try the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Wine. A ton has changed in the long time since Kim Crawford was established. Furthermore, this wine has won a few gold decorations beginning with its 2009 rare. The Crawfords are now almost a decade into their second act, running Loveblock Wines, their organics-driven estate amid the windswept hills of Marlborough in the northeastern tip of the South Island. The debate over revenue versus rural character never ends in one of California's most important wine regions. Sauvignon Blanc is Kim Crawford's most popular variety, but wines are also made from Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. They see a larger organics business developing from the farm, including sales of grass-fed beef from their herd of Angus cattle. While things are going well, its sweet sailing. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc has proven to be a major hit for New Zealand winemakers. The average daily temperature in summer reaches nearly 24C or 75F resulting in a high heat summation for the growing season. They executed it perfectly. Sauvignon blanc wines make up more than 85% of New Zealands total wine exports, which hit a record $1.2 billion in June. I was making wines to a certain style., Kim was overseas when the scandal broke, and Erica remembers trying to manage the fallout on her own, while coping with two small children, Pia, now 17, and Rory, and the terminal illness of her father in South Africa. Weve seen a great response so far which is fantastic, we have some loyal customers who know the brand and want an alternative for different occasions. Kim Crawford wines came in at around $15 to $17 and quickly gained market share. After the tragic impact of Cyclone Gabrielle, the weather-bombed wine region looks to salvage what it can. She became interested in organics after a car accident in her early 30s led her to take stock of her health. And those zingy flavors jumped out.. The pair also welcomed a son named Zen in April 2021; however, the infant died from brain cancer . So what if, some time in the future, on this patch of organic land, Kim Crawford makes a wine better than all the rest. Manage Cookies Accept & Continue. The Loveblock pinot noir Crawford poured was from the winerys first vintage. They dont have the wow factor, in my experience, but theyll always be good wines and thats why commercially theyre very sound.. Its one of the most accessible Sauvignon Blanc wines out there, one you can find in most, if not all, local wine stores. Were looking forward to a bumper harvest in 2022!, Raise a glass to International Sauvignon Blanc Day. Ultimately, Anthony aims to let the original flavor of the grapes shine through in every glass of Kim Crawford. Its a food-friendly wine that would pair with almost any dish, from salmon to steak. Sauvignon blanc, unlike other varietals that need to be aged in barrels, can be sold within a year of production. While this may simply be due to the brands name being easier for Americans to pronounce than most other Kiwi brands Maori names, Crawford attributes the brands success with his decision not to sweeten the wines then a common practice among New Zealand wine brands attempting to accommodate Americans saccharine palates. We couldnt get bank funding, so we had to bring capital in through five or six equity partners or through selling the brand. Please enjoy our wines responsibly. Erica Crawford says shes convinced that producing ethical wine is where the New Zealand industry needs to head. By using this website, you agree to the Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions of use. 2022 Kim Crawford Wines. They had done just thatbuilding a bestselling sauvignon blanc label that they sold for a small fortune, which allowed them to develop sizeable vineyards, land that they love. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time. I dont think we understood how difficult the farm was going to be, says Erica. Kim Crawford's wine has taken America, and the globe, by storm. Who is the famous singer in Game of Thrones? Its a little bit more in the Old World style.. Though New Zealands wine regions produce more than Sauvignon Blanc, the varietal is undoubtedly its largest, accounting for more than 60 percent of the countrys total output. The wine would pair well with shellfish, pork, and shrimp and grits. With the slogan, Make it Amazing, Kim Crawford keeps its messaging light and fun, and encourages its consumers to do the same. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc cost $13.99. It was a time when the industry was very, very loose, Kim says now. The Kim Crawford brand now resides over almost 5,000 acres of land across New Zealand. "People were skeptical about Kim and the brand carried his name. There is a U.S. Representative named Andrew S. Clyde. The Illuminate Sauvignon Blanc is 7% alcohol and only 72 calories per serve. By clicking "submit", I accept Kim Crawfords. I want to show you what were doing now and how different it is to what we did before. Today, Kim Crawford the wine is owned by Constellation Brands. You must be of legal drinking age to enter this site. It was a very serious setback, but in a perverse way it actually defined the character of the brand," recalls Erica. No wine tool? An intriguing lawsuit pits an opportunistic wine company against a Napa heavyweight. Find it at Costco, Trader Joes, or on Vivino. It may be that I am too cautious, says Erica. The grapes benefit from long days, clean sea breezes and crisp nights. Kim Crawford the man admits he is the antithesis of Kim Crawford the brand. Listed under Wine Spectator Top 100 four times. 4.8 out of 5 stars. But the Crawfords were biding their time. Please reload the page and try again. The brand is currently marking its 25th birthday with a series of global celebrations, while the Crawfords have been raising a glass to the incredible memories theyve created along the way. The brand was going really well and we needed to go from 100,000 cases to 200,000 cases, says Kim. We do things unconventionally, take risks, start things, and welcome difference these are just some of the reasons that the Kim Crawford brand has resonated over the years, Erica said. Old grapes and new appellations the wine world never stands still To see how Wine-Searcher uses average pricing and professional wine critic scores on this page, The Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc wine, in my opinion, is a nice drop. To learn more visit www.responsibility.org. With more than 90 hectares of their land holdings planted, the Crawfords now number among the top 10% of the countrys largest vineyard owners. Dont expect abig, ripe Russian River Valley pinot. They likewise say that The plants ran in age, as long as 14 years, bringing a blend of young force and profundity of flavor.. 2021 did see lower harvest yields right across the industry largely due to weather, and this coupled with unprecedented global demand for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has created a supply-demand challenge, Erica admitted. America really loves Kim Crawford. It places tremendous responsibility on the bearer. The wines are also available at Costco, as well as Trader Joes, to the delight of many VinePair readers. A woman walks into a grocery store and picks up a bottle of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc before grabbing a pair of sunglasses from the display and strutting her stuff down the aisle. Market: https://youtu.be/Ew1akpuFOus Since its launch in 1996, the label has gained critical acclaim around the globe. The label later produced a ros called Pansy! 20 Best Classy Wine Quotes For Your Next Toast! Its good to break even and to be a base for the brand, says Erica. Its biggest overseas market is the U.S., which has developed a particular liking for the crisp, clean taste of Marlborough sauvignons. The region, situated at 41 latitude south on the north end of the South Island, is one of New Zealands sunniest and driest regions. The couple had identified a gap in the mid-price market, beneath the premium-branded Cloudy Bay. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine from New Zealand. In 2003, Crawford sold the brand to Canadian company Vincor the same year the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc first made Wine Spectator's Top 100 List (it has since been included several times). The pair broke the conventions of the wine world at the time and began a virtual winery, buying grapes from contract growers in the Marlborough region and making wine in other peoples wineries. Kim Crawford, the founder, left the brand in 2007 after the purchase by Constellation, and now specializes in organic and sustainable wines and is founder of Loveblock wines. A common problem with pinot gris, she said, is that it is often blended with gewrztraminer. Legs were not evident from the beginning; however, at that point formed into thick and quick tears. Following broadcast, digital marketing and social media ads began rolling out across Facebook and Instagram on June 24, 2019 through February 2020. It was an innovative approach at the time, with Kima well-known local winemakerbuying grapes from contract growers and making wine in leased facilities, allowing them to avoid huge outlays for land, vines and equipment. Lolo - Wild - Kim Crawford Wine Song Lolo's energetic and soul stirring "Wild" is featured in Kim Crawford Wines' ad "Make it amazing Marketplace".Photo by V. The TV commercials portray real-life moments shared among friends where choosing Kim Crawford makes an impression and gives them confidence in their wine choice to take on any occasion. They say they werent ever tempted to return to virtual winemaking with Loveblock; blending grapes from a variety of suppliers is now commonplace among brands. Kim Crawford's most notable wine is its Sauvignon Blanc, which is the most popular New Zealand wine sold in the United States. With grapes grown between the latitudes of 34 and 47, our growing regions cover a distance of 1,000 miles from the northern tip of the country to the southern coast. That embodies a much stronger and compelling story [than their original label], says viticulture consultant David Jordan. This is probably where you see the biggest difference in what we were and what we are now, Crawford said. The Wine Industry Advisor is an Online Industry Publication featuring news, articles, and editorial content relevant to the wine industry. Delivery Available. The brand now produces seven different varieties in two of New Zealands most famous wine regions: Hawkes Bay, which is best known for its Chardonnay; and Marlborough, beloved for its Sauvignon Blanc. Kim says the traditional taste of the Marlborough sauvignon blanc is different when it has an organics platform. He says no. The Loveblock is closer to a pinot from Oregon or Californias Santa Barbara County. This time around, we do the farming.. Veterans of the grape: We now have infrastructure. Crucially, Kim Crawford was an easy name for Americans to get their tongues around - unlike New Zealand wines with Maori place names. The brand keeps it simple in the naming department, too, labeling wines after their varieties: Kim Crawford Chardonnay, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, and so on. More Vintages: 2017 2015 2014 2013 2020 . They want to know where its grown, how its grown, what has gone into it. Kim Crawford Lemon Iced Tea Wine Spritz 4pk-355ml Be the first to review. Anthony has been influenced by New Zealands unique natural beauty and uses it to inspire wines with robust, fruit-driven flavors that accentuate a gentle and natural character. So why did the Crawfords sell their company to Vincor in 2003? Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc has become the benchmark Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and has been named in the Wine Spectator Top 100 four times. Kim Crawford Wines started out in a small Auckland cottage in New Zealand. It was horrific. Since its launch in 1996, the label has gained critical acclaim around the globe. Shop $ 9.99 $ 19.98 / 750ml. Cannon became a father of 12 after Alyssa Scott gave birth to their baby girl, named Halo Marie. The Crawfords were among the first New Zealand winemakers to gain a toehold in the United States. Kim Crawford Wines, the No. That model is incredibly profitable, says Erica, but what will your point of difference be? It was my baptism of fire.. And this wine delivers all those qualities, and more, like a good price. We started this dream from our home in Auckland, New Zealand and hoped it would succeed, Erica said. The vineyards of Kim Crawford are located in outstanding, predominantly coastal sites. And the Crawfords did not tinker with the wine for the U.S. market. Make It Amazing celebrates the confidence Kim Crawford gives consumers by over delivering on quality, taste and value; and brings consumers strong brand loyalty to life. Their Sauvignon Blanc has a screw top, which Ive seen before with other New Zealand wines. Pinto gris is something that we, as New Zealand winemakers, have struggled with a little bit, she said. CELLAR: Two years with confidence. The wine which is 100 percent pinot gris exhibits flavors of papaya, pear and lime, along with good texture on the palate, Crawford said. To learn more visit www.responsibility.org. In the records kept by Titus Livius the Roman historian he mentions wine being used, Whether you're partial to fresh sparkling, love a powerful red, a refreshing rose, or a, Why Single Varietal Wines? According to the Crawfords, this wine is far subtler and more. Hawkes Bay is in the North Island of New Zealand and is the countrys oldest wine region, dating back to 1851. Pick Up In stock. Established in 1996, Kim Crawford Wines sparked American interest in New Zealand labels with its fun-focused messaging, easy-drinking bottles, and accessibility in price, profile, and availability online and in stores. The winemaker is Anthony Walkenhorst. What happens when your name is your brand, and then you sell it? It comes at you, right? Kim Crawford Wines started out in a small Auckland cottage in New Zealand. Believe it or not, Sauvignon Blanc may be the most exciting varietal wine coming out of California today.  When it comes to Champagne, we all too often leave the realm of mere mortals and dive into the world of the super-rich. and consent to Kim Crawfords use of my personal information for marketing and analytics purposes, including receiving marketing and promotional communications. No. Personally, its been so great for Kim and to stop and reflect what has been achieved, Erica (above) tells Drinks Digest. Her confident aura catches the attention of two other female shoppers, who can't help but gaze at her in amazement. Since taking over Kim Crawford Wines in 2006, New York-based Constellation Brands has built the label into a powerhouse, especially in the U.S. Loveblock Farm, the winerys anchor vineyard, is located in the hills of Awatere Valley in Marlborough, New Zealand. 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