Clos Henri
A pioneering Marlborough producer blending Burgundian winemaking philosophy with New Zealand's terroir to create world-class Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs.
Clos Henri is a premium Marlborough winery established in 2000 by the Bourgeois family of Sancerre, Loire Valley, France, a winemaking dynasty with deep viticultural roots spanning 10 generations dating back to 1696. The estate meticulously integrates traditional French techniques with sustainable New Zealand viticulture, producing benchmark Sauvignon Blancs and increasingly respected Pinot Noirs that compete at international level. Their approach emphasizes small-batch production, precise vineyard management, and minimal intervention winemaking.
- Founded in 2000 by Rémi and Jean-Marie Bourgeois, sons of pioneering Sancerre winemaker Henri Bourgeois, whose family has been involved in winemaking in Sancerre for 10 generations dating back to 1696
- Located in Marlborough's Wairau Valley on approximately 98 hectares of land
- Their flagship Sauvignon Blanc consistently scores 92+ points and achieves 13.5% ABV with remarkable minerality
- Pioneered organic and biodynamic practices in Marlborough before sustainability became industry standard
- Produces limited-edition Pinot Noir from low-yielding vines averaging 3 tons per hectare
- Built a state-of-the-art winery in 2009 designed to work with gravity and minimize handling stress
- Exports to over 30 countries with particular strength in UK, Europe, and Asia-Pacific markets
Definition & Origin
Clos Henri is a boutique winery in Marlborough, New Zealand's largest wine region, established by the Bourgeois family of Sancerre, Loire Valley, France. The estate was founded in 2000 when Rémi and Jean-Marie Bourgeois, sons of the pioneering Sancerre winemaker Henri Bourgeois, purchased 98 hectares of land in the Wairau Valley after a 12-year worldwide search for terroir similar to their Sancerre holdings. The Bourgeois family has been involved in winemaking in Sancerre for 10 generations, dating back to 1696. The name 'Clos' references the French tradition of enclosed vineyard sites, while 'Henri' honours the family patriarch Henri Bourgeois.
- Founded 2000 in Marlborough's Wairau Valley
- Bourgeois family winemakers in Sancerre, Loire Valley, for 10 generations since 1696
- Named honouring family patriarch Henri Bourgeois, combining French tradition with NZ innovation
Vineyard Philosophy & Winemaking
Clos Henri practices sustainable and biodynamic viticulture across its Wairau Valley estate, employing low-intervention winemaking principles inherited from their Sancerre traditions. The winery focuses on minimal additives, natural fermentations, and careful aging in French oak (for select wines) to preserve varietal expression and regional character. Yields are deliberately restricted to concentrate flavors and ensure physiological ripeness rather than sugar ripeness.
- Biodynamic certification and organic practices across all vineyard blocks
- Hand-harvested, small-batch fermentations in temperature-controlled conditions
- Uses indigenous yeasts and minimal sulfur additions
- Gravity-fed winery design minimizes oxidative stress and manipulation
Flagship Wines & Production
Clos Henri's Sauvignon Blanc is the flagship expression, displaying the classic Marlborough herbaceous and citrus profile enhanced by minerality and complexity achieved through careful terroir management. Their Pinot Noir, though produced in smaller volumes (approximately 2,000-3,000 cases annually versus 8,000+ for Sauvignon), demonstrates surprising elegance and structure, often aging for 5+ years. A limited Ratafia and occasional Pinot Noir rosé round out the portfolio, all reflecting the estate's commitment to quality over quantity.
- Sauvignon Blanc: 13.5% ABV, aged in stainless steel, releases fresh and mineral-driven
- Pinot Noir: typically aged 10-14 months in French oak, shows dark cherry and forest floor complexity
- Production philosophy: approximately 45,000 cases annually across all wines
Critical Recognition & Market Position
Clos Henri has earned consistent recognition from major critics and competitions, with their Sauvignon Blanc regularly achieving 92-95 point scores from publications including Wine Spectator and Decanter. The producer represents a quality benchmark within Marlborough, competing favorably against established names like Cloudy Bay and Greywacke while maintaining lower production volumes. The estate's philosophy of quality-before-volume has attracted serious collectors and wine professionals who value authenticity and terroir expression.
- Regularly wins gold medals at International Wine Challenges and Decanter World Wine Awards
- UK-focused distribution strategy reflects the family's European heritage and market knowledge
- Premium pricing (£15-25 retail) justified by consistent 92+ point performances
How to Identify Clos Henri in Wine
Clos Henri bottles feature an elegant, minimalist label design with the estate name in serif typography, a nod to classical French aesthetics. The Sauvignon Blanc label displays a distinctive illustration of the vineyard landscape, while Pinot Noir features deeper, more somber tones. Look for the vintage year prominently displayed and biodynamic/organic certification marks on back labels, which signify the estate's commitment to sustainable viticulture.
- Sauvignon Blanc: pale lemon color, effusive citrus and white stone fruit aromatics, crisp mineral finish
- Pinot Noir: light to medium ruby, silky tannins, elegant structure avoiding over-extraction
- Distinctive hand-applied capsule often indicates small-batch production runs
Food Pairing Philosophy
Clos Henri's Sauvignon Blanc pairs beautifully with seafood, fresh cheeses, and herbaceous dishes that mirror the wine's aromatic profile, while the Pinot Noir suits lighter meat preparations and umami-rich foods. The winery emphasizes the versatility of their wines in culinary contexts, recommending specific pairings that enhance rather than dominate the wine's subtle expressions. The minerality of the Sauvignon Blanc makes it particularly food-friendly across diverse cuisines.
- Sauvignon Blanc: oysters, goat cheese, asparagus, sashimi, herb-crusted halibut
- Pinot Noir: duck confit, mushroom risotto, smoked salmon, game birds, truffle-based dishes
- Both wines excel with vegetarian preparations emphasizing fresh herbs and umami elements
Clos Henri Sauvignon Blanc exhibits pale lemon hue with intensely aromatic white stone fruits (grapefruit, gooseberry), fresh-cut grass, nettle, and flinty minerality on the nose. The palate is crisp and linear with bright citrus acidity, white peach, and a distinctive saline finish reflecting Marlborough's maritime influences. Pinot Noir shows light ruby color, elegant red cherry and strawberry fruit, subtle spice notes, silky tannin structure, and a refined, mineral-driven finish avoiding any jammy characteristics.