Wild Sauvignon Blanc 2021

The grapes are sourced from various vineyards in the southern valleys and central Wairau plains, particularly Woodbourne, Renwick and Rapaura. Soil types vary from alluvial deposits, marine sedimentary rocks and dense clays. The grapes are gently pressed and the juice is transferred to old oak barrels where it will ferment for over 6 months. The wine is then transferred to stainless steel tanks to age on fine lees for 8 months. This wine reveals notes of peach , passion fruit , pear , fresh herbs , candied citrus peel , anise , elderflower , honeysuckle , shortbread and lemon thyme . The palate is fresh and complex, with a beautiful body and great finesse. The finish is long and mineral.

Introduced in 1819, vine growing was greatly developed by Jean-Baptiste Pompallier, a French Marist missionary. Sent to Oceania in 1837, he settled there from January 1838 onwards to develop New Zealand's vineyards. The first quality vineyards were established in the Hawke's Bay region in the 19th and early 20th centuries. After setbacks caused first by phylloxera and then by the First World War, the vineyards began to expand again during the Second World War, when their area doubled. Today, New Zealand has 10 main wine regions spread across the North and South Islands, the largest of which is Marlborough. Most of New Zealand's wine regions have a maritime climate. The country's long, narrow shape means that vineyards are never more than 120 km from the coast, and most are much closer than that (with the exception of the semi-continental Central Otago region). A spine of mountains running down the centre of the country shields most of the main wine regions from the strong westerly winds off the Tasman Sea known as the "Roaring Forties". Because of these winds, there are few wine regions on New Zealand's west coast. The quality and reputation of New Zealand wines are well established. Indeed, the country produces some of the best and most renowned Sauvignon Blanc in the world. And it is no coincidence that New Zealand has made Sauvignon Blanc its emblem, just like its sheep, its kiwis and its legendary haka!