Vintage 2025
The 2025 vintage will be remembered as the one where patience was rewarded.
A mild Spring brought excellent flowering and strong canopy growth, setting the stage for what looked to be a generous harvest. Early fruit set was high, and crop loads were adjusted to bring vines into balance. This ensured that the remaining bunches would reach optimum concentration and flavour development.
Summer was varied, with a warm and bright December, but unusually cool temperatures in January – the coldest in Marlborough since 2000. This slowed sugar accumulation and delayed ripening. This was beneficial as the vines enjoyed an extended ripening period, developing pallet weight, softer acids, and greater aromatic intensity. In February, warm and calm conditions returned, with an abundance of sunshine and only 13 mm of rain.
These conditions and our careful crop reduction in January, delivered fruit that was exceptionally clean and expressive, with the classic passionfruit, ripe citrus, and crisp, mouth-watering finish that defines Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
The 2025 wines reflect the individuality of our coastal vineyards, particularly Blind River and Dillon’s Point. The ocean’s influence allows slow, even ripening, building rich tropical and citrus flavours and preserving acidity. The distinct minerality, acquired from the proximity to the sea and the silty loam soils, produced wines that are truly unique and elegant.
A Season in Balance
Spring (2024): Exceptionally mild, fostering early and even flowering. Crop loads were thinned early to bring balance. Frost was minimal, allowing early shoots to flourish.
Summer (2024/2025): Warm December gave way to a cooler-than-usual January, delaying ripening and extending hang-time. February reversed the trend, delivering warmth, sun, and calm conditions with very low rainfall —perfect ripening conditions.
The Harvest: beginning in mid-to-late March, later than the previous few years, and proceeded block by block at optimum ripeness. The slower pace meant we had the time to make a truly quality harvest, carefully selecting what was picked as it reached peak condition. We finished just before some heavy rains arrived in late-March, a well-timed conclusion to a clean, balanced harvest.
The People: The 2025 harvest highlighted the strength of our team, from all over the world, and their dedication and energy to bringing in the fruit at its peak, with great attention to detail.
