2016 Sauvignon Blanc

Grava was founded in 2014 by experienced winemaker Alistair Gardner, his wife Karla Falloon and her family. The well-established vineyard sits on the alluvial soils of the Southern Wairarapa in the heart of the winegrowing region of Martinborough. It produces high quality wines from Pinot Noir, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Alistair is grava’s viticulturist and winemaker and uses traditional and modern viticultural and oenological methods in the vineyard and winemaking operations. The grapes are all hand-harvested and grown using sustainable practices with Alistair overseeing all stages of vine upkeep, crop growth and fruit maturity to produce the best quality fruit for processing and fermentation. Alistair’s attention to detail, extensive international knowledge and dedication to excellence characterises the grava vineyard and winery operations.

“The fruit has good proportion and the intensity builds with aeration. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has stylishly restrained flavours of white and green stonefruits entwined with delicate herb and nutty notes, and mouthwatering minerals. The fruit forms an elegant core and a very fine-textured line with refreshing acidity that guides the wine with good energy to a soft-textured, lingering finish of stonefruits and herbs. This is a stylishly restrained dry Sauvignon Blanc with white and green stonefruit flavours along with subtle herb and mineral elements on a fine-textured, fresh palate. Serve as an aperitif, and with seafood over the next 2+ years. Hand-picked fruit, WBP and fermented in stainless-steel with 20% in 500 L French oak puncheons and 2% on skins.” – 4 Stars Raymond Chan Tasting Note: Tropical fruit characteristics, and a soft mid palate as a result of time spent on fine lees. The wine has a long finish, is food friendly and is a surprising twist on typical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.