the 1st growth of Hawkes bay
An exclusive partnership of two extraordinary men who are passionate about producing wines of exceptional quality, making New Zealand’s most compelling Bordeaux blends.
The first vintage of LVCA began in 2016, and fame has not diminished the air of mystery around LVCA. However, there is no question that a great deal of excellence is due to the vigneron and partnership with the land. These decisions, timing of practices, and the attention to minute detail lead to the growing of exceptional fruit, and how that plays into the LVCA standard of near-perfection is second to none.
Master French winemaker Ludwig Vanneron consulted with the elite of Bordeaux Chateaux aristocracy over the last 20 years, as well as estates in Super-Tuscan. Chase Arquette also has 20 years of experience with one of NZ's most exclusive boutique estates, mastering varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. LVCA is about capturing the classic heritage of Bordeaux and the infinite potential of New Zealand! You would want to be part of it to witness the rise of the future!
LVCA range
The wine is made for ageing, it’s collectable, it’s remarkable, it’s evolvable, and it’s the flagship wine of LVCA. Inspired by Bordeaux 1st Growth, which comes from a combination of characteristics that are rarely found: refine, restrained, elegance, complexity, density, intensity, power, length and freshness. It comes in two distinctive styles, le Galant and Charmant reflecting the left-bank and right-bank of Bordeaux, France.
le Galant: Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend, supported by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec depending on the vintage performance. The wine is robust, muscular, complex, intense and yet sophisticated which recommends a minimum of 8 years of cellaring before opening.
le Charmant: Merlot dominant blending with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The great vintages are blended only with the Franc inspired by the Pomerol AOC tradition. The wine is charming, fragrant, velvety, elegant, and rich which requires less ageing to Galant, a minimum of 5 years of cellaring to allow bottle development.
le petit range
The little brother and sister of LVCA are designed to be early enjoyment yet still have cellaring potential. There is nothing short of classic characters from their big siblings but the only difference is down the winemaking and oak regime.
le Petit Frere: It’s the Bordeaux red blend, the little brother of Galant and Charmant. Most vintages are made of Merlot dominant blend supported by Cabernet Sauvignon, a style of its own identity. The wine is inviting, delicate, refined and luscious. It’s drinking now or putting away for another 10 years to bring out the best, the choice is all yours.
le Petit Soeur: The little sister of the family, its 100% Chardonnay Clone B95 with full fermented in tight-grained French barrels between 10-12 months with occasionally bâttonage. The wine is creamy, harmonious, polished and textural, a style that is inspired by the classic Corton-Charlemange, Burgundy.