No.1 Family Estate
When a wine producer specializes in one perfect style, you are guaranteed a glass that overflows with passion, and tastes like liquid gold. For almost 40 years, Champagne maker Daniel Le Brun has had one goal – to make Méthode Traditionelle wines that rival the best in the world, and to do it from Marlborough, New Zealand.
Pioneers of Méthode Traditionelle in New Zealand for 40 years, Adele and Daniel Le Brun launched No.1 Family Estate, their family-owned winery, in July 1997.
Steeped in history and tradition, Daniel’s winemaking roots in Champagne date back to 1684. He crafts his wines using the same process perfected over 12 generations, by his champagne-making family in France.
The No.1 Family Estate winery and vineyard is set in Marlborough’s beautiful Wairau Valley. The combination of soils and climate, that is consistent every year, reminds Daniel of Champagne in its best vintage years. The winery is set up with state of the art processing equipment imported from Champagne.
Following in Daniel’s footsteps, son Remy has joined the winemaking team and will become the 13th generation winemaker. Daughter Virginie has been mentored by Adele and is the Sales Director.
Today, No.1 Family Estate is the only winery in New Zealand committed exclusively to producing premium Méthode Traditionelle.
“Making champagne is in my blood.”
- Daniel Le Brun
The Winemaker
Daniel Le Brun has been called the Grandfather of Méthode Traditionelle in New Zealand. Born in Champagne where his family have been making wine for twelve generations, Champagne is in Daniel's blood literally and figuratively. After graduated from the School of Viticulture and Oenology at Avize, Daniel grew frustrated with the restrictions of vineyard ownership there, and this led him to New Zealand. Here Daniel is involved in every stage of winemaking and is somewhat of a perfectionist, never wavering in his commitment to creating wine the way he learned from his father in Champagne.
Following in his father's footsteps, Remy Le Brun has completed his bachelor’s degree in Viticulture and Oenology and is managing the vineyard in Marlborough. He will be the 13th generation of Le Brun family winemakers.
“We are the only winery in New Zealand committed exclusively to producing premium Méthode Traditionelle wine and every bottle we create honours our pursuit of excellence and joie de vivre.”
– Daniel Le Brun