John and Brigid Forrest have developed their Forrest Wine brand for three decades, and the business is now into its second generation of participation, with daughter Beth fully involved as the winegrowing manager. As with all businesses that successfully reach this stage, there has been a (constant) re-evaluation of their operations. Forrest has grown to be a significant Marlborough producer, and has investigated emerging varieties and styles, as well as working with fruit from different regions, including new and untried districts. The company has backed important innovations such as screwcap closures, and more recently the establishment of ‘Appellation Marlborough Wine’. By all accounts, Forrest Wines has been successful in these areas and made significant contributions to both the Marlborough and New Zealand wine industries.
In discussion with Forrest marketing manager Hamish McRae, I believe that the Forrest family will be consolidating the brand to represent the family as a whole, and showcase their three decades of winegrowing in Marlborough especially, by recognising the roots of their business, the ground in which their vines are planted. This will mean an emphasis of sub-region, with possibly smaller volumes of the wines to indicate their boutique status. Hamish mentioned this will be a process of fine-tuning. The ‘Forrest’ brand will be focussed on primarily, with 12 varieties made and their sub-regions highlighted. This has been but will be presented again as the core of Forrest Wines, with classical varieties and innovative styles. ‘The Doctors’ range will become centred on the ‘low-alcohol’ style which has become an important category. The ‘TattyBogler’ range will be the vehicle for Forrest’s Central Otago and Waitaki Valley wines, while the ‘John Forrest Collection’ remains the flagships. It is interesting times as the Forrest family begin their next stage of development. Here, I review a selection of Forrest 2018 and 2015 bottlings which will give an indication of where the ‘Forrest’ brand is heading. www.forrest.co.nz
