2025 Yealands Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Awatere Valley

This is the kind of wine that made the region so famous, because you will smell the aromas before you pick up your glass. Cut pineapple, juiced green apples and limes. Shiso mint and cacti greenery adorn the ripe fruit, adding a herbal layer beneath. On the palate, pineapple stands tallest of the tropical fruits, with some white peach and soft pear. It's expressive, generous and has a swirling, elegant line of acidity that stands out from the rest. Drink to 2028.

93 points & Special Value Shanteh Wale for Halliday Wine Companion, March 2026

Fresh and crisp with tropical notes such as passion fruit and papayas as well as plenty of limes and herbs. Medium-bodied with juicy acidity. Succulent. Sustainable. Drink now.

91 points Kevin Dacy for James Suckling, October 2025

Despite the name "single vineyard," which perhaps evokes notions of something small or enclosed, this Yealands estate vineyard covers somewhere in the vicinity of 1,000 hectares, located on a rocky cliff tabletop overlooking the ocean. It is exposed, windblown and wild. Walking up to the cliff edge really is a sight to behold. The 2025 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc leads with coriander (I love the Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blancs for this character—less tropical and more leafy than the main Wairau), green apple, basil, passion fruit and brine. This is fresh, punchy and crunchy, with loads of flavor. Drink to 2028.

90 points Erin Larkin for The Wine Advocate, April 2026

The fruit selected for this wine came from the coastal blocks in Yealands Seaview vineyard in the Awatere Valley. Gently pressed and left to settle for 48 hours, the clear juice was racked and fermented long and cool with a cultivated yeast, the wine was stabilised and filtered prior to early bottling to capture the pure varietal freshness.

About this producer

Established in 2008 by the late Peter Yealand, his namesake winery has built is business from the ground up with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Their home, the Seaview Vineyard in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, is New Zealand’s largest privately owned vineayard, with vines covering just over 1,000 hectares across 133 blocks. Viticultural work is led by David Sheard, while Anthony Bell has held the keys to the winery part of things since 2021.