Lake Chalice Wines, Marlborough | Wine Republic

Established in 1989, Lake Chalice is a proudly independent Marlborough producer known for expressive, beautifully made wines with a strong sense of place. Named after a remote wilderness lake in the Richmond Range, the estate has been owned by the Ibbotson family since 2015, combining deep local experience with a practical, down-to-earth approach to wine.

Lake Chalice works with three distinctive vineyard sites across Marlborough. Falcon Vineyard lies on an old river course in the Wairau Valley, where stony, sandy soils naturally limit yields and produce concentrated fruit. Eyrie Vineyard occupies the cooler Waihopai Valley, with clay over gravel bringing perfume and structure to Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Talon Vineyard sits in Dillon’s Point, where deep silty loam creates intensely aromatic Sauvignon Blanc with generous fruit and bright freshness.

Winemaker Chloe Gabrielsen treats every vineyard and parcel individually, allowing the character of each site and season to shape the finished wine. The Nest range offers an approachable introduction to Marlborough, while The Falcon captures the estate’s signature style. The Raptor focuses on distinctive small parcels, and Plume represents the most detailed and ambitious expression of the Lake Chalice vineyards.

The native kārearea falcon displayed on every bottle reflects the producer’s close connection to Marlborough. Lake Chalice supports the Marlborough Falcon Conservation Trust and is certified through Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand.