2025 Vavasour Awatere Valley Pinot Gris, Marlborough

Vavasour Awatere Valley Pinot Gris is a beautifully expressive and finely balanced white wine from Marlborough’s cool, windswept Awatere Valley. Vavasour was the first winery established in the Awatere in 1985 and remains a benchmark producer, crafting wines that capture the valley’s distinctive mineral drive, bright acidity, and layered aromatics. Their Pinot Gris is a classic example of the variety’s potential in this cooler subregion, offering both purity and texture in a dry, elegant style.

The vineyards lie close to the Awatere River and are influenced by cool ocean breezes from the nearby Pacific, as well as by the valley’s strong diurnal temperature shifts. These conditions extend the growing season, producing grapes with concentrated flavours and naturally high acidity. The vines grow on free-draining alluvial soils with underlying loess and river stones, contributing both intensity and subtle mineral complexity. Grapes are harvested in the cool of the night to preserve freshness, gently pressed, and fermented in stainless steel at low temperatures, with a portion matured briefly on lees to enhance mouthfeel and depth without oak influence.

In the glass, Vavasour Pinot Gris is pale straw with green highlights. The nose is fragrant and precise, with aromas of nashi pear, white peach, citrus blossom, and hints of spice. The palate is medium bodied and textural, with juicy orchard fruit flavours supported by vibrant acidity and a soft, mineral backbone. The finish is long, clean, and delicately savoury, making it both refreshing and quietly complex.

This Pinot Gris pairs beautifully with Thai salads, grilled prawns, seared scallops, or spring vegetable risotto. It’s also excellent with fresh cheeses, light pasta dishes, or seafood with lemon and herbs. Best enjoyed young for its lively fruit and floral freshness, though it can develop gentle honeyed and nutty notes with short-term cellaring.