Johanneshof Cellars was established in 1991 and is jointly owned and operated by Edel Everling a fifth generation winemaker from Ruedesheim, Rheingau, Germany and Warwick Foley from Marlborough. Both winemakers trained in the world-famous wine area of Rheingau in Germany. The winery has a formidable reputation for its Aromatic varieties namely Gewurztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris. Edel and Warwick also produce Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Noble Late Harvest Riesling. The quality of wines produced has reflected in the many awards Johanneshof has received including Trophy for Best International Aromatic White wine – Decanter World Wine Awards 2005. Johanneshof’s adoration for Europe’s century old wine culture led Edel and Warwick to establish New Zealand’s first underground rock cellar tunnelled into solid sandstone, 50 meters long and 20 meters deep underground. In this traditional cellar Johanneshof’s flagship wine, the Methode Traditionnelle ‘EMMI’ is fermented in its bottles and aged on its yeast lees for more than five years. Johanneshof is one of a few New Zealand wineries which produce Grappa & Grape Brandy. Called “EDELBRAND”, the Grape Brandy is made from 100% Marlborough grapes, distilled twice like a Cognac and matured for 25 years in small Limousine oak casks.