The Marsanne is a rare white grape variety grown in only four countries: France, United States, Switzerland and Australia. 
Thought to have been cultivated originally in the Northern Rhone Valley of France, Marsanne was introduced in the Nagambie Lakes region of Victoria, Australia in the early 1860′s at Tahbilk, one of Australia’s oldest and most beautiful wineries. Although none of the original vines from this first planting survived, cuttings made from them in 1927 remain some of the world’s oldest producing vines. The vine took well to the Australian climate and the rare variety did very well at Tahbilk. So well, in fact, that Australia currently produces more than three quarters of the world’s supply of Marsanne.
The vineyard itself, located on the Golburn River, was founded in 1860, and produces traditional vines such as Merlot, Chardonnay and Reisling, as well as several Rhone red and white grape varieties, including Shiraz and the rare Marsanne. About 20% of the wine made at Tahbilk is created for export to world markets including the United Kingdom, United States and Canada, collectively. Highly regarded, Tahbilk wines have won more than 1800 gold, silver and bronze medals at the Royal Shows since 1965.
The Marsanne wines produced at Tahbilk are some of the finest in the world. Tahbilk’s flagship wines include a limited release Marsanne made from the 1927 vines. These special releases do not occur every year. The vineyard’s standard release Marsanne is said to pair well with foods at any stage of its development. A young Marsanne, with its intense citrus flavors and aromas, is equally well-suited to a ham and split pea soup as it is to a tomato crab bisque, to a robust lasagna or squash ravioli in tomato cream sauce, as is the more aged Marsanne with the distinctive honeysuckle character. Because of this versatility and palatability, Tahbilk Marsanne is sought by wine lovers worldwide.
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