Starborough Sauvignon Blanc

The Marlborough district of New Zealand's South Island has set the world standard for crisp Sauvignon Blanc wines. Marlborough is on the east coast of the island, with a ridge of mountains to the west, limiting rainfall and making it one of the sunniest areas in the country. The landscape is pierced by deep, fjord-like bays, called "sounds," which enhance the maritime influence and extend the growing season for wine grapes. The long, cool growing season helps the wines of this region to develop rich layers of flavor with a distinctive, refreshing character.

Our Starborough Sauvignon Blanc has layers of citrus and tropical fruit with hints of fresh green characters, which make the wine a true expression of the Marlborough region. Flavors of passion fruit, guava, and kiwi layered over a citrus framework culminate in a crisp, approachable palate.

The growing season, warmer than average temperatures in November and December produced larger bunches and bigger berries in Marlborough. Dry conditions and cooler weather into late February created an excellent harvest, allowing the Sauvignon Blanc grapes to retain their natural acidity and build concentrated flavors.

The grapes were destemmed, but not crushed, and lightly pressed in order to avoid extracting bitter tannins from the skins. The must was fermented in upright stainless steel tanks at very low temperatures for up to 30 days. The wine was then filtered prior to bottling.