Johanneshof Cellars’ Edelbrand has been maturing deep in our underground cellar for over 30 years. Solely made from 100 % hand-harvested grapes grown in Marlborough and aged in Limousine barrels this premium Marlborough brandy is blended like the best cognacs using the solera method guaranteeing you the finest quality of brandies.
Best New Zealand Grape Brandy - New Zealand Spirits Awards 2024 & 2021
Good Things Take Time
A unique product has been part of Johanneshof Cellars’ range of products since our inception in 1991. Johanneshof is one of a few New Zealand companies producing Grape Brandy. Called Johanneshof Cellars “EDELBRAND” it is made from 100% Marlborough grapes, distilled twice like a Cognac and matured for 28 years in small Limousine oak casks.
The name “EDELBRAND” translates to “noble brandy” from German. Only the best brandies deserve to be named “Edelbrand” in Germany. Johanneshof Edelbrand also plays on the name of one of our Owners, German born Edel.
Deep in our Koromiko cellar Johanneshof Cellars EDELBRAND has been maturing now for over 30 years in French limousine and troncais oak barrels which are stored in our underground cellar twenty meters under the surface of our vineyard. During the maturation process few people were fortunate enough to taste it, when we took a small sample out of the barrel using a glass ‘wine thief’. Admittedly the enjoyment we get out of doing these regular barrel tastings no doubt will have contributed to the prolonged time we let this precious liquid mature!
Johanneshof Cellars EDELBRAND was first released in 2000 after maturing for 10 years. Since then every year different barrels are blended together in the 'Solera' method, going back to our first vintage in 1991. Using the ‘Solera’ method, part of each barrel is used for the new cuvée and that part replaced in the barrel with spirit from the next oldest barrel which gets topped with the same amount of the next oldest barrel, and so on. This guarantees continuity in age and composition.
Derived from Marlborough grapes every year we ferment these grapes to a purpose-made wine in order to distill it twice, like a cognac. It takes 11 barrels of wine to make one barrel of spirit of 65% -70% alcohol content, as the distillation process evaporates and condenses the wine in the process. The spirit will gain the beautiful amber colour from years of maturation in oak casks, without any addition of colourings or flavourings like in inferior brandies. This ensures you are getting the pure and natural essence of the distilled wine.
After cutting the Johanneshof EDELBRAND back to 38% alcohol we finally bottle the precious liquid into Italian brandy bottles, cork and hand seal it with sealing wax for your enjoyment.
Enjoy Johanneshof Cellars EDELBRAND neat and make it a highlight of your next celebration.