Wairau River, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

This is the wine that put New Zealand on the world stage. Our first vintage of Wairau River Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in 1991 won the National trophy for the best Sauvignon Blanc and promptly sold out.

It all starts in our Estate Marlborough vineyards, in the region famous for introducing elegant, cool climate New Zealand wines to the world. Marlborough’s warm days and cool nights create an extended growing season allowing the grapes to develop beautiful acidity which balances the intense varietal characteristics of ripe grapefruit, white nectarine, and tropical fruits resulting in an elegant, refreshing, crisp flavoursome wine that distinctly says Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

The grapes were harvested in the cool hours of the morning and left on skins for six hours before gentle pressing. Some of the juice was fermented with cultured yeast in stainless steel vats at low temperatures, and a portion was fermented in new and old oak barrels with wild yeast. Following fermentation the wine was left on lees for two months before being blended and finished for bottle.

A striking nose with layers of lemon and lime, cut herbs, floral notes and passionfruit. A portion of this wine underwent barrel fermentation giving weight in the mid-palate with aromas of toast and brioche leading to a complex, lengthy finish.