Sauvignon Blanc Blind River ‘Arona’

Winemaker

Simon Barker

Appellation

Marlborough

Varieties

Sauvignon Blanc

Viticulture

Waverley is located a half mile from the sea in one of the windiest and driest spots in Marlborough. Whilst bud-break is 7-10 days earlier here because of the proximity of a relatively warm sea in the spring, in the summer the breeze is stronger in the Awatere than elsewhere in Marlborough. And it’s strongest at Waverley. More wind makes the vines less prone to disease, reducing the need for treatments. Wind also reduces temperature, lowering yields and delaying maturity so the grapes see more of the cooler fall evenings. The cool evenings mean larger diurnal temperature changes as well as longer hang times, both of which help develop the aromas and flavors that give the wines their unique intensity.

Terroir

The soil at Waverley overlays gravel and clay. It’s the right kind of almost stone free clay that holds water, making it available to the vine’s root system in this drier micro-climate. The depth of the underlying clay and its water content vary from one end of the vineyard to the other, providing the variable growing conditions desired.

Ratings & Reviews

Vineyard

Waverley Vineyard is nestled between the bluffs of Blind River half a mile from the sea in the cooler Awatere Valley. There are recognized differences between the wines of the Awatere and Wairau valleys. Awatere wines are fresher and mineral while Wairau wines are more tropical and rounder. Blind River’s most recognizable element is a flinty, smoky minerality. Waverley was planted, mostly, in 2004.

Vinification

Fermentation in stainless steel at 10C. No fining agents used, cold stabilized. A small percentage of Riesling is blended into this wine for additional texture and body. RS: 3.3g/l. pH: 3.2. TA: 7.5g/l.

Features

Bottle, Screw cap, Vegan

Available Sizes (L)

0.750