Once in a rare while, the invigorating climes of Awatere Valley, enthuse a choice planting of vine, to yield a vintage which redefines a new measure of excellence in the world of Marborough Sauvignon Blanc. The Seaview property is New Zealand's most coastal vineyard, a magical place where the obstinate old vines battle against the elements, for a harvest of small, thick skinned berries which are treasure chests of flavour. A meal of a Sauvignon Blanc, its textural, mouth filling palate rolls around the tongue with waves of complexity and exciting, mineral richness.

Yealands Seaview Vineyard is exposed to some of the toughest growing conditions in Marlborough, high sunshine and billowing winds wind, cool nights and low rainfalls for a smaller, thicker skinned Pinot Gris of exciting intensity. Fruit from the relatively flat, coastal L6M block, provides a pure mineral elegance to the structural backbone. Parcels from E6 block, picked off a sheltered north facing slope, contributes luscious ripe pear and quince characters. A drier, food friendly style of alluring lychee appeal and charming spiced pear complexity.

Assembled and fashioned to the timeless restorative of Alsace varietals, albeit in an exhilerating new world style, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer, are concurrently harvested, crushed and destemmed, a gentle pressing separates the free run juices into fermenters, the solids into a mix of 1000L oak oval tuns and 225L French barriques for natural vinification and course of textural lees stirring battonage. Brimming with lychees, mandarin and spiced ginger pear, its underlying textural richness makes Yealands a cinch alongside the perfect crackling pork roast.

The marvelous S1 block is a sheltered, relatively warm site within the splendid vistas of Seaview Vineyard, on a north facing plateau at 160m above sea level, refreshed by maritime winds that blow in from the Cludy Bay coast. Fruit is crushed and destemmed, chilled and gently pressed, the clearest juices are racked off for a long, cool ferment to capture the full opulence of S1 vineyard grapes on the vine. Blackcurrant leaf, wet stones and nectarine, textural and fragrant, a lucid articulation of the unique terroir from a very special site.

From a parcel of auspicious vines, planted to wind blown silts over high mineral soils on the north facing G2 Block at Seaview Vineyard. The gently sloping, warmly sheltered coastal blocks, just eighty metres above sea level, have long inspired the Yealands team to create a judiciously oaked Sauvignon Blanc. A harvest of grapes in the riper spectrum is essential to such a wine, a choice component is treated to a course of barrel ferments in a selection of seasoned French oak puncheons. A richer, flint and pineapple style of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Wither Hills work toward the philosophy that the finest wines are always created in the vineyard. The secret of Wither Hills success lies in a commitment to reflect exactly what nature has endowed Marlborough, to deliver a distinctly exhilarating experience. A wine of remarkable intensity, captivating flavour profiles of great persistence, with a degree of elegance rarely seen in Sauvignon Blanc. Distinctive herbaceous and gooseberry aromas support a wonderfully balanced palate, presenting purity of ripe fruit, before a lingering, harmonious finish.

The provident vineyards of Wairau Valley are at the very heart of Marlborough central, planted to auspicious alluvial terrains and drenched by the most opportune sunshine in all Aotearoa. It is here that the congenial growing seasons yield a quality of Pinot Noir with supple tannins and brightly lit fruit, lending itself perfectly to vintages of engaging Rosé. Wither Hills set aside those parcels which can best articulate the fine structure and freshness of a comely pink wine, fashioned into a style that drinks exquisitely alongside Al fresco and smart cosmopolitan fare.

When Wither Hills make wine, they place great emphasis on striking a balance, to ensure that palate and nose, texture and complexity, all make an equal contribution to the experience. It is to this end, that the talented team, turn to the most salubrious Wairau Valley vineyards for the pick of the Marlborough crop. The Pinot Gris of choice, to share around the patio, watching the sun go down, over a platter of tasty nibbles, to the accompaniement of merry repartee.

The Wither Hills Rarangi, Benmorven and St Leonards Chardonnay vineyards, along with the eminent Fairleigh and Kerseley properties, are strategically sited on some of the most opportune sites around Wairau Valley. Night time temperatures can be cool, which is ideal for flavour development. The aim is to produce a structured wine with mouthfilling flavours, distinctively Marlborough, expressing the region's charm. Barrel fermented and matured in French oak, drinking well on release, Wither Hills will reward all devotees of fine New Zealand Chardonnay.

So skillful and dedicated are the winemaking team at Yealands Estate, they have earned International Wine Challenge award for world's best Sauvignon Blanc. It is from their zero carbon certified wineworks in Wairau Valley, that the viticulturalists can source fruit for the construct of generously proportioned yet balanced wines which are in complete harmony with the environment. Whale's Tale is a crisp, fruit forward representation of Marlborough, perfect alongside fine cheese or freshly tossed chicken caesar.

An impressive succession of highly awarded vintages, twice in a row Gold Medal Liquorland Top 1OO, Gold & Silver New World Wine Awards and second equal at the prestigious UK Wine Magazine taste off. Flanked by the ocean, mountains and rivers of the South Island, Waipara Hills yield the most stylish wines. Refreshingly unwooded and unoaked, a generous, lifted style with all the power and generosity you want and expect, yet with a lovely texture and mouth watering finish that coaxes you back for the next sip.

Waipara Hills made a name as Marlborough's best Gewurztraminer after romping home with the trophy for best entry at Liquorland International. Waipara Hill's low cropping Traminer vineyard produces fruit with intense aromas of rose petal, lychee and turkish delight. Stunningly fragrant and lusciously flavoured, completely unwooded, vivacious and fresh, medium bodied with a soft well rounded palate, exhibiting a rich oily texture, only slightly sweet but intense. An extremely limited production of only a few hundred cases makes every edition collectible.

Nelson River in general, and Waimea in particular, have a reputation for highly aromatic wines. Sauvignon Blanc is hand picked from a range of choice vineyards, including the Wells and Robertson blocks, grown to the stony alluvial soils of the Waimea Plains. Waimea Estate has garnered significant interest due to the fruit driven purity, beautifully textured palate, admirable balance and polish. Treated to whole bunch pressing and bâtonnage, achieving a multi dimensional wine, with pure varietal expression, underpinned by subtle texture.

The Nelson River region, at the top northwest corner of New zealand's South Island, is blessed by high sunshine hours which stimulate the vines into yielding the ripest fruit, followed by cool evenings which contribute a fresh natural acidity. One of the higher profile Nelson wineries, Waimea Estates has grown quickly in size and stature since its first vineyards were planted in 1993. From parcels of fruit grown to the stony alluvial soils of Waimea Plains, a pretty and stimulating Pinot Gris wine, endowed with varietal textures and brimming with Nelson River charm.

Marlborough's Seddon Vineyard is a spectacular site, sheltered from the southern elements within a very warm mesoclime. Fruit is all hand picked throughout the chill of early morning and treated to a minimalist vinification to preserve the urgency of fully ripened Pinot Gris on the vine. Aromatic with pear, cinnamon and floral spice, finely textured and judiciously off dry, elegantly defined with exemplary balance between crisp acidity, textures and intensity of fruit, an engagingly compex, lingering finish.

From the southern tributaries of Wairau Valley. Identifiably Wairau Valley in its elocution, bursting with all the trademark ripe fruit exuberance that speaks of sunshine, alluvium and prevailing maritime winds. Villa Maria are all about exemplary standards of viticulture, care for the soil and fastidious husbandry of each sacred vine. Pure, powerful varietal aromas of passionfruit, blackcurrants and grapefruit, an underlying flinty complexity, gooseberries and guava, rejuvenated by a fine thread of cleansing acidity on the lingering finish.

Villa Maria possess the magic touch with Pinot Gris, regularly clearing international wine events of prestigious trophies. Private Bin has been included in the Decanter Top 50 Best Under £10 and identified as a Decanter favourite. Villa Maria retain the finest vineyards throughout New Zealand's grand expansive viticultural precincts, affording the team every opportunity to collate harvests at the zenith of flavour development. Exciting characters of lychee and pinenut, apples and melon, a crisp and racy acidity. Meet your Maria at a Trattoria, for an evening of gaiety, gorgonzola and Gris.

A collation of harvests from splendid vineyards in Te Ika-a-M�ui, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne provide the backbone of fruit. Waipara and Marlborough contribute components at the fruitier end of varietal spectrum. Fashioned to a medium bodied style that's delicately aromatic, soft on the palate and appealingly dry, ideally enjoyed alongside crisp skinned chicken or sticky pork ribs.

From fruit grown to Templar Vineyard in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, fully BioGro Certified. This low cropping site is managed with a focus on enhancing soil vitality to grow healthy and balanced vines, employing organic methods to work in complete harmony with nature. The most pristine grapes have been secured for Cellar Selection, the harvesting carried out with inscrutable timing to capture all the naturally juicy flavours. A fresh, fruit driven Sauvignon Blanc with lithe passionfruit, kiwi and citrus characters from nose, through palate to finish.

Villa Maria selects clones of Pinot Gris that produce lower yields with smaller bunches, which translates into more concentrated flavours. The viticulturists spend a great deal of time monitoring and adjusting the crop levels to make sure the vines are carrying the right amount of grapes. Low yields of two to three kilos per vine, timely leaf plucking and canopy management activities concentrate the flavours in the grapes. Although this leads to a smaller harvest, the emphasis is placed on quality not quantity, culminating in a fully opulent Pinot Gris wine.

The luscious style of Sauvignon Blanc that speaks of Marlborough has so captured the heart of Villa Loco, inspiring the Clare Valley team team to acquire parcels of the best grapes from across the Tasman. Abounding with pungent tropical flavours and fine zesty acids, Villa Loco is moreish, fruit powered and delicious.

Vavasour pioneered viticulture in the Awatere Valley, under the imposing presence of Tapuae-O-Uenuku. Vavasour’s vineyard is noteworthy for its wide diurnal temperature swings, it's the combination of soils and clime which shape the inimitable character of Vavasour wine. The refined elegance of their Pinot Gris shows why many others have followed the lead. Sweetly spiced on the nose and palate, yet pleasingly dry, soft savoury aromas are reflected by intensely concentrated flavours on the palate.

The Vavasours settled New Zealand and established one of the first homesteads in Marlborough circa 1890. Proud of their long association with good wine, the Vavasours were employed by William the Conqueror as tasters. There's a single block of outstanding, fully mature plantings on the Vavasour estate vineyards in Awatere Valley which yields a sensational Chardonnay. Creamily textured and richly proportioned, opulent with juicy white peach characters and redolent of ripe nectarine, a refined, elegant style underpinned by divine flinty minerality.

A generously flavoured Marlborough wine which has claimed highly coveted accolades at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards. Tylers Stream is a boutique operation which continues to grow from strength to strength. Completely unoaked, in easy drinking styling, it sings of kiwifruit and lychee. Many of the contributing vines surround the winery itself, whence the Tyler Stream flows closely by. Kiwifruit, lemongrass and passion throughout, firm but balanced acid backbone, a generous wine of concentration and poise.

The idyllic ripening conditions around Marlborough's finest vineyards sprout some of the world's most prized Sauvignon Blanc. Twin Islands creates exceptional Marlborough wines, which are crafted with early and regular enjoyment in mind. Since inaugural release, Twin Islands has represented excellence in winemaking, delivering fully flavoured, benchmark Sauvignon Blanc. Already a highly successful entrant at wine competitions, having claimed significant accolades at the New World Wine Awards, New Zealand International, Air New Zealand and Royal Easter.

Trout Valley wines are sourced and vinified by Kahurangi on the Upper Moutere, very near Nelson at the top northwest corner of New Zealand's South Island. The greater Nelson region is renowned for its vibrant arts scene and stylish, boutique winemakers, also home to some of the finest brown trout fishing water in the world. Trout Valley is a medium to full bodied white with a most welcome, savoury edge to it's fruit dominated structure. A treat of a Sauvignon Blanc with mouthfilling palate and complex aromas for adherents of contemplative and engaging wines.

A pure Marlborough wine, one that encompasses all that is appealing in the clean and fresh expressions of ripe, fruit driven Sauvignon Blanc. Assembling harvests of the best grapes is essential, Totara's meticulous team know all the most dedicated growers and retain access to the finest parcels. A lifted nose of lemons and grapefruit, flinty mineral nuances and hints of soft tropical fruit leads you to a palate showing crisp citrus characters, subtle fresh asparagus, finishing refreshingly dry.

Torrent Bay is for the discerning enthusiast. The Drummond family pioneered horticulture and agriculture on Motueka Hills in the late 1800s. Today they capitalize on their prodigious local knowledge to produce the region's finest Sauvignon Blanc. Crafted from the choicest parcels of fruit with ongoing attention to detail throughout vinification, Torrent Bay stands out from the rest, just like it's scenic namesake on the coast of Abel Tasman National Park. A clean and dry Sauvignon Blanc in new world world styling with true varietal character and regional charm.

The team behind Ned go to great lengths, as they take aim at fashioning the ideal Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The emphasis is on balance, as the wine should contribute to the ambience of the place at which it is served.

Marlborough is recognised throughout the world as the source of stunning cool climate wines. From vineyards established in 1990s, The Crossings is one of a small group of pioneering Awatere Valley winegrowers, deriving it's name from a ford used by early settlers to cross the fast flowing river which forms a pristine southern boundary to three vineyards, Medway, Willow Flat and Brackenfield Estate. The low vigour soils and dry climate produce grapes with intense fruit flavours, infused by a delightful minerality for the production of truly stunning wines.

Ta_Ku is completely Kiwi, filled with pride about the treasures of the land and culture of its habitants, the legend and the lore. Pure waters and ancient soil are natural endowments for its graceful vineyards. Ta_Ku is is the embodiement of Marlborough and all that's special about New Zealand's indigenous charm, the vitality of its people and the pristine splendour of its sun drenched countryside, journeying across the Tasman, for you to enjoy, to savour and to share.

New Zealanders can make other great wines apart from Sauvignon Blanc. Parcels of Pinot Gris collated from some of the finest Marlborough vineyards, trained to yield harvests of intensely flavoured fruit, are at the heart of Ta_Ku. The aim is to construct a fully engaging wine which can deliver a delectable experience in splendid quality Pinot Gris while treating the palate to an intimate taste of Marlborough. A match to mushroom risotto or a gourmande seafood caesar.

Long recognised in New Zealand and Australia for it's consistent production of vital Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the rest of the world is now catching on, as Stoneleigh has been added to the winelist at London's prestigious Ritz. Stoneleigh's vineyards are located at the northern end of the Wairau Valley in close proximity to the mighty Wairau River. Often referred to as the Rapaura Series of soils, they are characterised by their relative youth, based on river silts and stones. Poor in nutrients and water retention, they yield intense fruit and vibrant wines.