A THOUSAND GODS GIARA 2022

After spending a decade making wine in the Cahors region of South-West France, as well as collectively working forty plus vintages across nine different countries; Simon and Lauren have returned back to New Zealand to make wine under their own label ‘A Thousand Gods’. Their aim is to make wines they can call their own, both representative of site, yet in their own way, surprisingly unique.

Working closely with their biodynamic grower in the Waihopai Valley of Marlborough, meticulously farmed grapes are hand-picked and undergo wild fermentation. No additions, fining or filtration processes are used. Instead, thoughtful guidance into becoming wines that are generous and approachable, yet also complex and cellar-worthy.

Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"A delicate light-amber coloured wine made from 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Viognier destemmed and kept on skins in an 800L clay amphora for 7 months. Orange-blossom, tangerine, honey and spice flow from the nose through to a plush palate with very delicate fine-grained tannins that create length and width. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier through the lens of ancient winemaking practices. Expressive and complex.

Our name is inspired by an expression in Occitan 'miladiou' (mille-dieux in French). Occitan was the language spoken in the south of France prior to French, and certain dialects of Occitan can still be heard in rural areas of southern France today, although the language is gradually dying out. “Miladiou!” is an exclamation of surprise that can be used in a myriad of situations and an English equivalent would be Blimey! or Holy Cow! but it literally translates as “A Thousand Gods!”"