2025 Vavasour Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

Gold National Wine Awards of Aotearoa New Zealand 2025

Intensely aromatic and enticing, the bouquet shows passionfruit, feijoa, kaffir lime, and white floral aromas, leading to a wonderfully flavoursome palate that's filled with juicy fruit flavours. A long, refreshing finish.

94 points Sam Kim for Wine Orbit, July 2025

A delicious sauvignon blanc that’s citrusy and creamy, with aromas of sweet lemons, jalapenos and some stones. Light- to medium-bodied with fresh acidity at its core. Tropical on the palate, with a succulent finish. Sustainable. Drink now. 

90 points James Suckling, October 2025

Vavasour was the first winery to plant in the Awatere Valley in 1986, establishing a style that is now recognised as distinct from the broader Marlborough region. The cooler, drier and more exposed Awatere sits south of the Wairau and the wines it produces tend toward more herbal, mineral and saline characters rather than the riper tropical expressions of the Wairau.

The 2025 Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc is tank fermented and early bottled to preserve the fresh aromatics and natural acidity that define the Awatere style. Pale straw, the nose is vibrant and aromatic with passionfruit, feijoa, citrus oil and fresh herbs anda saline mineral edge. The palate is generous and focused with tropical fruit, citrus zest and crisp acidity carrying through to a long, clean finish.

Most wine lovers know the drill here: oysters, prawns, spring rolls. From BYO to BBQs.

Best enjoyed young and fresh.