Deutz Celebrates a Unique Designer Collaboration

6 December 2011

Deutz Celebrates a Unique Designer Collaboration

The craftsmanship of winemaking and ancient art of glassblowing combine

Deutz has announced details of a design collaboration with Lukeke Design – internationally renowned glassblowing artists to coincide with the new vintage Deutz Marlborough Prestige Cuvée being released. The result is the creation of a stunning collection of limited edition glass flutes, with Deutz Marlborough Cuvée as their muse, the only New Zealand Méthode Traditionnelle made under direct licence from a French Champagne house - the prestigious House of Deutz.

Luke Jacomb and partner Kate Rutecki of Lukeke produced the Deutz Designer Series glass flutes, a range of only 300 hand blown flutes, using ancient techniques and craftsmanship infused with a modern, Kiwi point of view.

Julia O’Connell, Deutz winemaker, briefed the internationally acclaimed pair in situ at the vineyards in Marlborough, to show how Deutz wines are crafted, using traditional French Champagne-making techniques and selecting some of the finest hand-picked Marlborough grapes.

“Deutz represents a marriage of old world traditions and craftsmanship combined with New Zealand’s spirit of innovation and awe-inspiring Marlborough terroir," explains O’Connell. “Our brief to Lukeke was to bring to life the idea of old world substance meeting new world flair and ingenuity.”

Jacomb added, “The Deutz philosophy parallels our approach to glass blowing, which involves using tools and techniques that date back hundreds of years – making it hard to find replacement parts when you need them! - and adding a contemporary twist. Just like crafting great wine, glass blowing is a blend of science and art; and neither creative process can be rushed.”

Jacomb’s partner, Rutecki, says the limited edition series of flutes represents a celebration of Deutz putting premium sparkling wine on the map in New Zealand.

“We have chosen a Reidel vintage flute-inspired cup design and crafted a range of stem designs that represent the ethereal Marlborough landscape and the finesse of Deutz. We have chosen to use distinctive black glass as a contemporary statement and this choice also reflects the Deutz Marlborough Prestige Cuvée label.”

About Lukeke Design

Luke Jacomb and Kate Rutecki work together to produce hand blown glass art with a contemporary twist. Jacomb, a New Zealander, received extensive training in glassblowing techniques in the United States, where he spent a total of eight years training, working and refining his practice. He has received classical training by glass virtuosos including Elio Quarisa, a primeo maestro of Murano glass work. Jacomb recently returned to New Zealand bringing with him a wealth of expert skills and knowledge. Jacomb's latest body of work, the Pacific themed series of blown glass paddles and canoe, has already received much critical acclaim. It will be on exhibition this year at the Otago Museum in Dunedin.

Rutecki graduated in New York with a BFA majoring in Sculpture from Alfred University, New York State College of Ceramics. Using wax as her sculpting medium, Rutecki also intricately carves birds in flight to be cast in glass.

Both Jacomb and Rutecki are well established on the international glass art scene and their work can be found in a number of important public collections including:

Birmingham Museum of Art, Al USA
Cleveland Institute of Technology, OH USA
Corning Museum of Glass, NY USA
Ebeltoft Glass Museum, Demark
Milwaukee Museum of Dec Arts(Villa terrace), WI USA
New Orleans Museum of Art, LA USA
Works Museum, OH USA

About Deutz Marlborough Cuvée

Deutz Marlborough Cuvée is a result of the historic partnership in 1988 with the prestigious House of Deutz in Champagne, France.

Deutz marries the gorgeous fruit flavours of Marlborough grapes with traditional French Champagne-making techniques, resulting in refined, elegant wines of exceptional quality. The understated style and sophistication of premium Deutz Marlborough Cuvée is a perfect way to toast to a celebration.

The Deutz range of wines include Deutz Marlborough Cuvée – RRP $38.99, Deutz Marlborough Cuvée Blanc de Blancs, Deutz Marlborough Rosé and Deutz Marlborough Prestige Cuvée – RRP $43.99.

www.deutz.co.nz

ENDS

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