Original Awatere Wines of extraordinary elegance, perfume, and texture from the first winery in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley.

Awatere Valley Pioneer Founded in 1986, first to plant vines and first winery of the Awatere Valley, Marlborough’s smallest sub region Distinctive Sauvignon Blancs with an oyster-shell minerality prized in Sancerres 196-acre estate and estate-bottled Limited production and acclaimed 100% sustainably produced Marlborough

History The cockerel on the label is the Vavasour’s family crest dating to11th century Norman England The Vavasours arrived in Marlborough in 1890 In 1986 Peter Vavasour had his pick of the valley when he decided to plant in the windy, distant landscape thought too extreme for wines Intense layers of flavor in the earliest vintages declared a unique presence that earned international acclaim and continues to set the standard for Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blancs

The Awatere Valley A smaller, cooler pocket of Marlborough pushed up out of the ocean by earthquakes and carved out by ancient glaciers.

Vineyards & Terroir Tapuae-o-Uenuku mountain (elevation 9,465’) looms to the west feeding the relentless Awatere River on its path to the Pacific Ocean The best parcels and the oldest vines in the Valley reward us with wines of extraordinary elegance, perfume and texture Vines plunge their roots deep and wide in unforgiving Greywacke and impermeable Papa soils, building flavor, intensity, and minerality The arid Awatere Valley forces vines to prioritize fruit over foliage, and quality over quantity Persistent westerly winds mean lower yields and thicker skins, resulting in more structural, concentrated wines

Sustainability All the estate vineyards and all winemaking and bottling facilities are SWNZ (Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand) certified Integrated pest management: cover crops between rows attract parasitic wasps which attack light brown apple moths (leafroller caterpillar) Regulated deficit irrigation methods provide vines the minimum required water for each stage of the growing season Numerous shelter trees have been planted at the winery to help combat the prevailing winds, with two acres dedicated to native species

Stu Marfell Born in the Awatere, Winemaker Stu Marfell grew up next door to the Vavasour vineyards, helping at the winery at nine years of age. Later he planted some of the vines that produce today’s award-winning wines. Chief winemaker since 2007, Stu brings a lifetime of Awatere Valley knowledge to bear in his winemaking approach, and was recognized as the Winemaker of the Show at the 2018 New Zealand International Wine Show.

2018 Sauvignon Blanc Awatere Valley, Marlborough Vavasour Home Vineyard 100% Sauvignon Blanc, stainless steel fermented Fruit was harvested at night to preserve flavor and freshness. Careful canopy and yield management ensured great concentration and character. After pressing, the juice was cool-fermented in stainless steel tanks to retain the essence of the fruit. Our 2018 Sauvignon Blanc offers a motherwatering blend of aromas – passionfruit, guava, elderfruit, black currant, and citrus. The flavor profile brings a concentrated mix of white peach and tropical fruit. Complex, intriguing layers finish with a lingering oystershell minerality.

Acclaim Grand Champion v2017 Grand Champion 2018 Gold, New Zealand International Wine Show 2018 Gold, Marlborough Wine Show 2018 5 Stars, Bob Campbell 2018 2017 Platinum Best in Show, 97 Points, Decanter World Wine Awards 92 Points, IWC 2018 Gold, Royal Easter Show 2018 Grand Champion, Oyster Riot v2017

Original Awatere A VALLEY AND A STYLE APART