"Punchy and delectable, this fabulous sauvignon is filled with ripe passionfruit, feijoa, lime zest and lemongrass characters. It is pristine and powerful on the palate, and delivers excellent concentration and fine texture, brilliantly structured by refreshing acidity. A gorgeous expression of the Awatere Valley. At its best: now to 2019" Sam Kim Wine Orbit

All Vavasour wines are 100% varietal and true, honest expressions of their  terroir. Our 2016 Sauvignon Blanc offers aromas of white peach, snow pea and passionfruit. The palate is rich and complex with tropical fruit characters and a saline minerality on the finish.

The Awatere Valley is a sub-appellation within Marlborough. It has deep Greywacke soils compacted over millions of years by ancient glaciers. Huge boulders, carried down the Awatere River, are strewn across the valley floor. River shingles, gravels and silts help bind these large rocks. The vineyards are partially protected from the prevailing north-westerly winds by a broad range of mountain peaks. Awatere valley wines are particularly prized for their intense aromatics, ripe flavours, dynamic textures and concentration.

The fruit for our 2016 Sauvignon Blanc came from our 85 hectare (196-acre) estate vineyard located at one of the marquee sites for grapes in the Awatere Valley. The climate here is noteworthy for its wide diurnal temperature swings; the vineyard’s soils are low in fertility and are comprised of stones and pebbles mixed with clay and loam. The rainfall ranges from 279-406 millimeters (11-16 inches) a year, very arid by any measurement.

We harvested the fruit in the cool of the night to preserve the flavour and freshness that epitomise Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Careful canopy and yield management including leaf plucking and shoot thinning, ensured great concentration and character. After pressing, the juice was cool-fermented in stainless steel tanks to retain the essence of the fruit.