Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Domain Road has two vineyards in the heart of the historic gold mining area of Bannockburn.  Domain Road Vineyard covers most of the north-facing valley on the upper terraces above the Kawarau River with Defiance Vineyard on a gently sloping, north facing site on Felton Road.

Our Sauvignon Blanc vines are planted in three locations, on the top of Templers Hill, an area left untouched by 19th century gold miners, on Doctors Flat where mining has exposed mineral-rich clays from a 8-15 million year old lake bed and on a corner of Defiance with clay based soils. 

The wine 

The grapes were hand harvested between 20th April and 1st May 2023 from both Domain Road and Defiance vineyards.   The fruit was whole bunch pressed to tank and the juice was cold settled for two days before racking and inoculation with selected yeast.  Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks (43%) with the balance (57%) undergoing barrel fermentation in French oak barriques.  The barrel portion was lees stirred weekly to give the wine volume, roundness and complexity.

 The colour of pale lemon with clear hues our Sauvignon Blanc is dry in style, complex and mouth filling. Fragrant on the nose with Lemon Blossom, grapefruit and gooseberry.  Dry in style with passionfruit, guava and white melon with a hint of flint evident on the palate.   A full mid palate and firm acidity lead to a long, complex citrus and tropical finish.

Vegan Friendly.

 Food matches:  Fish and seafood. Goats cheese on toast, just warmed under the grill.

"Fantastic bouquet, complex and mineral, pure fruited with scents of citrus and lees complexity, ripe white fleshed fruit suggesting peach ad rice red apple. Equally delicious as the one touches the palate with a core of mineral and salinity, acidity carries flavours suggested by the bouquet along wth a fine dried herb and gentle savoury lees quality. Overall a great texture and length" Cameron Douglas. 

"A dry, tropical fruit scented Sauvignon with smoky, flinty aromatics and a fresh green herb edge on the finish. Very good white from a cool region." Joelle Thomson. 

"Intensely aromatic and enticing, the wine shows crunchy apple, rock melon, fig and lime peel aromas, followed by a wonderfully flavoursome palate that is juicy and lively. Beautifully composed and styled with a lengthy mouth-watering finish. At its best now to 2028".  Sam Kim - Wine Orbit. 

" The nose is softly full and poised, with aromas of orchard fruit, gooseberry, elderflower and creamy lees elements. Medium bodied, aromas of apple and pear melded with gooseberry, unfolding elderflower, alight dusting of white spice and subtle creaminess. The mouthfeel is delicate wth fine textured phenolics; the fruit is elegantly restrained, layered with spice and floral details, flows along with a soft fine acid one to a moreish finish". Candice Chow for Raymond Chan Wine Reviews. 

Download wine notes here

Our Wines

• Pinot Noir
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Riesling
• Symposium
• Pinot Gris
• Pinot Noir Rosé
• Chardonnay