2023 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Auntsfield
Marlborough, New Zealand
The 2023 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from Auntsfield Estate is a vibrant and textured expression of Marlborough’s first and most historic vineyard. Established in 1892, Auntsfield carries the legacy of pioneering winemaking in the region, and today the Cowley family continues to craft wines that are deeply rooted in the estate’s unique terroir. Located in the Southern Valleys, the vineyard’s ancient Greywacke rock and Loess clay soils impart a distinctive minerality, texture, and intensity to the fruit, shaping wines with depth and character. Auntsfield’s approach to Sauvignon Blanc emphasises complexity and mouthfeel, producing wines that go beyond the typical Marlborough style.
Pale straw in the glass, the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc bursts with lifted, pure aromas of fresh passionfruit, ripe citrus, and lime, enhanced by layers of lemongrass, dried herbs, papaya, and a touch of jalapeño for added aromatic intrigue. On the palate, the wine is both powerful and elegant, with ripe flavours of passionfruit juice and white peach seamlessly interwoven with citrus elements of lime zest and mandarin pith. There is remarkable concentration and weight, carried by a taut structure and mineral backbone that creates a lively, balanced tension. The result is a Sauvignon Blanc with not only expressive aromatics and bright fruit, but also a refined, textural finish that lingers.
Whats in the bottle
 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Notable Awards
 92/100, Natalie MacLean
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Auntsfield Estate holds the distinction of being Marlborough’s first commercial vineyard and winery, initially established in 1873 by pioneering winemaker David Herd. Recognising the region’s potential, Herd planted his first grapes in 1892 and produced wine until he died in 1905. His son-in-law continued the legacy until 1931, marking over 50 years of esteemed winemaking.
In 1998, Graeme and Linda Cowley revitalised the historic estate, uncovering its rich winemaking heritage. They replanted the vineyard with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir, cultivating approximately 65 acres on north-facing, glacially carved slopes with Greywacke rock and fine clay soils.
Their sons, Ben and Luc Cowley, have since taken the helm, with Ben overseeing viticulture and Luc managing winemaking. The Cowleys emphasise sustainable and organic farming practices, utilising native yeast fermentations to craft wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Southern Valleys. Notably, Auntsfield’s vineyards are situated in rolling hills rather than the valley floor, providing clay-rich soils that impart depth and complexity to their wines.
Today, Auntsfield Estate continues to honour its storied past while producing premium wines that showcase the distinctive character of Marlborough’s Southern Valleys.
Picked during cool evenings, fermentation at low temperatures with cultured yeast in stainless steel tanks was utilised to retain the fresh varietal aromatics. After fermentation, the wine underwent an extended period of lees contact, adding texture and length to the wine. The result is a hand-crafted wine combining the bright fresh fruit characters with an underlying minerality and fine structure.
Alcohol by Volume	
13.5%
Vintage	
2023
Country	
New Zealand
Size	
750ml
Types	
White Wine
Producer	
Auntsfield
Grape	
Sauvignon Blanc
Region	
Marlborough, South Island
2023 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Auntsfield
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- New Zealand