Some think the Giesen Wines story starts when two brothers with itchy feet and a penchant for travel set off from Germany and found themselves in New Zealand in 1979, buying land and planting a vineyard in 1981.

In fact the Giesen Wines journey may have begun earlier when three teenage brothers set up a hobby vineyard. Or perhaps it started two generations before that, with their grandfather August (Aw-goost) who was a sommelier and restaurateur.

In any case, the three sons of a stonemason were planning to follow the family enterprise. However on a whim in 1981 while they were travelling the world and because it reminded them of home, Theo and Alex Giesen purchased land and planted a vineyard just outside Christchurch, at the time it was the world’s southern-most vineyard. Younger brother Marcel took himself to winemaking school and four years later joined Theo and Alex in New Zealand’s South Island to start making wine from their vineyard.

From their first vintage the three Giesen brothers have aspired to create great wines. And as their business has grown over the past three decades they have remained true to their vision, creating great wines people love to drink.

In 1984 Marlborough was little known. However, drawing on their heritage the three brothers recognised that cool-climate winegrowing created wines with flavour. Since then wine drinkers throughout the world have fallen in love with Giesen Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc making it a runaway success. So buying their first Marlborough property, Dillon’s Point Vineyard in the Wairau Valley in 1993 was a natural step.

It is not hard to remember Giesen, the three brothers are real people involved in their business everyday delivering on their promise to make wines which people love. When not making wine, the brothers take time out to appreciate family and friends, share a meal, enjoy a glass and celebrate their journey. They invite you to do the same.