This newcomer in Blenheim, is dedicated to the production of modest quantities of high quality Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Fire Road Sauvignon Blanc is very fine and very lively with a pervasive gooseberry character, delicate tropical nuances, and excellent acidity.
Winemakers Note: In the vineyard we removed leaves around the fruiting zone to allow light penetration and air movement around the ripening bunches. We achieved excellent ripeness and very strong intense varietal flavours following a warm dry summer. Tasting Note: Fresh, lively and herbaceous with delicious passionfruit flavours in the mouth. The wine is nicely integrated and has a long memorable finish. Our Rabbit Island vineyards are situated on a wide river flat. The soil is made up of gravelly sandy loam, which marks the sites of kumara beds prior to European settlement in the early 1800's. The Maori transferred and spread fine gravel and sand over the land to provide suitable soils for their kumara plantings. Scrub was burned to give ash and charcoal, which increased soil fertility and gave characteristic topsoil. This fertility is now considerably reduced with modern farming. The soils are however very sandy and gravely and free draining. The water table is relatively high ensuring adequate underground water. These vineyards are about 1.5 kilometres from the sea, which helps moderate summer temperature. (12 x 75 cl)
A soft easy drinking Cabernet Sauvignon from California’s northern Central Valley. Full of ripe, blackcurranty fruit flavours and rounded tannins with a very subtle hint of vanilla from partial oak ageing (12 x 75 cl)
Pale straw with green hints. The aromas are of white peach, citrus and delicate tropical fruits. The mouth filling palate is awash with flavours of fresh gala apple, nectarine, lime and tropical notes. The flavours are underlined by fine supporting acidity and a chalky texture that leads into a very long, rich and clean lime and passion fruit finish. (12 x 75 cl)