The growing season and harvest of 2020 was a thoroughly “good news” story despite the challenges thrown at us by COVID-19. Bud burst came early this season, but cool dry weather meant leaf development and canopy growth was drawn out. By November temperatures warmed up and rainfall levels returned to near normal. By December the above average warmth contributed to early and speedy flowering in early season
varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Between Christmas and March, the season bounced back strongly with a very consistent period of hot, dry weather; the driest Marlborough has seen in 88 years. Harvest began with fruit for our sparkling wine programme and moved swiftly through our Waihopai River Vineyard and finally onto cooler areas of Leefield Station. We believe the quality of the wine to come from our
Waihopai and Southern Valleys vineyards will make 2020 memorable – delivering aromatic wines full of bright and exuberant freshness–
a vintage to be remembered for more than just a pandemic.

Vivid aromas of freshly cut herbs, currant leaf and gooseberry waft from this elegant wine. Bursts of lemon and lime with a hint of guava create a lively mid-palate, a striking balance between fruit concentration and freshness with great length of flavour.