New Release...

At Sandihurst we are about to release out first wine of the 2008 vintage - our 2008 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

2/3 of the fruit is from the Wairau Valley and was 'traditionally' handled (in the Marlborough sense) - machine harvested, clean juice and cool fermented to retain aromatics and freshness. The other 1/3 of fruit is from the Awatere Valley, hand harvested, whole bunch pressed and briefly settled before being fermented slightly warmer. Both wines then stayed on full fermentation lees for 3 months to build texture and palate weight before being blended and bottled in August.

The wine is typically Marlborough in style but is understated and restrained. Rather than a straight forward fruit bomb the wine offers texture and additional complexity which adds another dimension to the fruit aromatics and vibrant acidity. It is dry at 3 g/L residual sugar. This is a wine which will benefit from short to mid-term cellaring and should begin to bloom into 2009 as it develops in the bottle.

To celebrate the release Sandihurst is having an afternoon release party on Sunday October 12th. Live music, picnic food and of course a complementary glass of Sauvignon Blanc on our vineyard lawn. Please contact the winery for further details.