When the first Marlborough vines were planted in 1973 few people predicted that the region would become New Zealand's largest and best known winegrowing area in little more than 20 years. The distinctive pungency and zesty fruit flavours of the first wines captured the imagination of the country's winemakers and wine drinkers alike and sparked an unparalleled boom in vineyard development. Worldwide interest in Marlborough wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc, has continued to fuel that regional wine boom. The free-draining, alluvial loams over gravelly subsoils in the Wairau and Awatere River valleys provides ideal growing conditions. Abundant sunshine with cool nights and a long growing season helps to build and maintain the vibrant fruit flavours for which Marlborough is now famous. Sauvignon Blanc is the most planted grape variety with Chardonnay in second place, followed by Pinot Noir and Riesling.

Sauvignon Blanc 2006
The grapes for this wine are sourced from two Marlborough vineyards, the Avery and the Radich, situated on the Wairau Plains. The Avery vineyard is owned by Richard and Linda Avery, who began in the region in the early 1980s, as Marlborough was gaining its recognition as a wine producing area. The vines used for this wine were planted in 1994. This vineyard site is warm and dry, situated on a old river bed. Fruit ripens early in the season here. The Radich vineyard lies approximately one kilometer south of the Avery and is owned by Peter and Steph Radich. This vineyard was planted in 1998 and has more silt in the topsoil than the Avery vineyard site. This is also a very warm and early ripening site, with fertile vines producing expressive flavors.
2006 $12.99 available
A classic version of ripe Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. This expressive wine exhibits very fragrant aromas yet delicate character. Waves of tropical fruit and grass flow through the mouth and conclude with a crisp dry finish. Enjoy this wine over the next two to three years.