Marisco appoints new winemaker, launches screen-printed bottle

Marisco Vineyards in Marlborough, New Zealand, has appointed Matt Mitchell as its winemaker.

Marisco Vineyards’ owner Brent Marris

Mitchell, who joins Marisco from Yealands Estate in Marlborough, has over 20 years’ winemaking experience

He will replace Liam McElhinney, Marisco’s winemaker for the past four years.

McElhinney, who has left the company to pursue ventures outside the wine industry, has guided Marisco through a period of major growth.

“Although it is a farewell to our dear friend Liam, we are delighted to have Matt on board and looking forward to tasting his skills with the 2013 vintage,” said owner Brent Marris.

Meanwhile, Marris has launched a screen-printed bottle for the estate’s King’s Series range – the first of its kind in New Zealand.

The design was co-developed by Marisco’s sales and marketing manager, Siobhan Wilson, and glass supplier ESVIN at its plant in Yantai, China.

The screen-printed bottles are made by Chinese glass manufacturer NBC – one of the largest glass suppliers in the country, signaling its first collaboration with a New Zealand winery.

The new packaging will debut on The King’s Favour Sauvignon Blanc 2012 and The King’s Thorn Pinot Gris 2012.

“The new bottle will not only better reflect the premium quality of the wine inside, but also further flatter the label artwork. I’m thrilled with the result,” said Marris.