2025 · Wairau River Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Wairau River is a family-owned Marlborough estate established in 1978 by Phil and Chris Rose, among the region’s first grape growers. The Rose family retains control from vine to bottle, with all five children involved in the business. Based in the Wairau Valley, the estate produces exclusively from its family vineyards, focusing on low-yield Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and experimental varieties. Winemaking is led by Sam Rose, alongside Nick Entwistle, who has been with the winery since 2002. Wairau River is 100% certified under Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, using renewable electricity, lightweight bottles, precision irrigation, cultural pest control, extensive recycling and more than 15,000 riparian plantings. Its wines reflect a hands-on, estate-grown approach grounded in long-term family stewardship.