Vineyard region Wairau and Awatere Valleys, Marlborough
The fruit we select from the Wairau Valley adds brightness, tropical and citrus flavours, as well as tighter acidity to our Giesen Estate Sauvignon Blanc blend. Compared to the Wairau Valley, the Awatere Valley is slightly cooler, drier, windier with higher elevation. The fruit selected from the Awatere Valley for this wine adds fullness, richness, the tropical notes are more grilled, herbal notes are more dry.

Vintage conditions

Summer started early in Marlborough, with warm weather leading to good flavour development, indicating the potential for great wine. Good rainfall from October onwards was a welcome break from several dry seasons. The temperature cooled over flowering reducing yield predictions and helping balance crops. Expecting a later harvest than typical, our viticulturists chose to drop more fruit over the growing period, ensuring ripening. Despite rain over harvest, our earlier decision to reduce cropping meant we picked fullflavoured fruit in great condition.