Swan Michel, Winemaker

Georges saw the potential for developing a winery and vineyards in Marlborough, New Zealand to produce top quality varietals such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and the internationally renowned Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Established in 1997, Domaine Georges Michel is situated in the 'Golden Mile'. This denotes the central route of the Rapaura area, a region renowned for the production of fine fruit and intense flavours.

20 hectares are planted on free draining soil and from an annual crush of approximately 200 tonnes, produce up to 17,000 cases of wine a year, for export and domestic sales.

For our wines, we choose to use the benchmark closure for wine: DIAM Corks

After many years of trial, Domaine Georges Michel has found the latest, ideal solution in wine closure. DIAM corks. Since the 2005 vintage, 100% production is sealed with DIAM .

DIAM corks are 100% cork taint free: this is the guarantee we can now offer our customers. DIAM is the revolutionary new closure that solves TCA, oxidation and reduction problems.

One of the real concerns over alternative closures and one of the reasons Domaine Georges Michel has not chosen screw caps is that fine wines need to age and develop in the bottle over time. Part of this process is a very small ingress of oxygen through the cork allowing the wine to expand and age successfully. Screw caps in particular don't allow this to happen and the wines age in atypical ways and can be affected by "reduction" (off smell).

Corks and DIAM corks allow a small amount of gaseous exchange resulting in the typical aging characteristics we are all familiar with. DIAM has been rigorously tested, technically certified by independent laboratories worldwide and has won international acclaim and awards. Many of the world's most respected still and sparkling wines are now sealed with DIAM. We're sure you've heard of Moet & Chandon, Louis Jadot, Mission Estate, Stonecroft, Tyrrell's, Tempus Two, and of course our winery. In fact over 500 wineries in Australia and New Zealand have chosen DIAM to seal their premium wines and the number is growing daily.

Bottle variation are also no longer a topic of conversation at the dinner table for wines sealed with DIAM. We have chosen to use DIAM to ensure each bottle is delivered to you in the best possible condition for your enjoyment.