If wineries, like any business, are all about location, then one must consider location, and finally, it all has to do with location. The French call it terroir, which is anything affecting the wine other than human intervention that includes climate, soil, topography, and a bunch of other factors, which is basically French for ‘location.’ That’s part of the fun of wine, learning about what makes the growing area unique and how that makes them different from other wines. 

A special growing region in New Zealand within Marlboro is the Wairau Valley. It was here that the first wine to be labeled as Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand was introduced by Montana (now Brancott Vineyards) in 1979, which was planted there in 1975. Before 1990, Marlboro was primarily planted in Rieslings and Muller Thurgau; of the 17 tonnes of grapes produced that year, 3 tonnes were of Sauvignon Blanc. After some nationally mandated vine pulls of lesser varietals and exponential vineyard expansion, Marlboro now is responsible for 70% of all New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wine production, more than 350,000 tonnes of grapes annually, 90% of the finished wine is exported, mainly to the US and the UK Shortly after Montana (Brancott) planted those first Sauvignon Blanc Vines, a close neighbor in the Wairau Valley, Stoneleigh, planted Sauvignon Blanc vines in 1981 and is now home to some of the oldest ungrafted Sauvignon Blanc blocks in Marlborough.

Rapaura is a particular region in the Wairau Valley, also known as the Golden Mile, famous as a who’s who in New Zealand wineries. Cloudy Bay, Saint Clair, Spy Valley, Alan Scott, and Brancott, to namedrop a few. The area is noted for its deep alluvial well-drained, gravel soils. The other main point of the region is the unique water source. The water flows down from the Southern Alps. It takes months for the pure water from these snow-capped mountains to filter through braided rivers and underground aquifers to make its way to the subregion of Rapaura, a one-church, one-schoolhouse town known for its exceptional vineyards.

Unlike other vineyards, Stoneleigh is studded with stones created by the historic route of an ancient river, now the Wairau. Stoneleigh, roughly translated, means a small lump of rocks. At Stoneleigh, they call those unique rocks sunstones because, during the day, the stones reflect the sun up onto the vines and grapes. Meaning the grapes are bathed in gentle heat from above and below. The grapes slowly ripen in the stony soil resulting in a lower yield but richer, more concentrated flavor.

New Zealand has been at the forefront of sustainable and organic wine-making. 96% of New Zealand’s vineyard-producing area is SWNZ (Sustainable Wine Grower New Zealand) certified. Over 90% of the wine produced in New Zealand is processed in SWNZ-certified facilities. Certification is rather rigorous, and all members must complete annual submissions and undergo regular on-site audits conducted by an independent verification company. Stoneleigh takes this commitment even further by practicing regenerative agriculture using nitrogen-fixing plants as cover crops. They also add animals, like chickens or sheep, to produce the manure essential to soil enrichment that contains essential bacteria. They use no- or low-tilling practices that also help preserve soil quality. They have also dedicated 300 acres to biodiversity and regenerative projects, supporting falcons, facilitating local beekeepers’ hives in the vineyards, and building entire wetland ecosystems. It follows they use 100% sustainably sourced grapes and absolutely no animal products from grape to bottle. If ever there was a wine that would make you feel good about drinking it, this is the one.

Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc white wine is made in collaboration with nature utilizing only the finest resources and ingredients. This partnership not only makes us the #1 wine brand in New Zealand but one that is both 100% sustainable and 100% vegan – because we believe that beautiful things can happen when you let nature take its course. At Stoneleigh, we pride ourselves on creating better by working with nature, not against it, for a flavorful collaboration and a more sustainable world.



This wine displays vibrant and punchy aromatics of passionfruit and fresh citrus with highlights of stone fruits and sweet basil. The palate is fresh and energetic, with good intensity. This wine demonstrates mouth-watering acidity and minerality to provide a lingering finish.

Acidity vibrates on the palate, sending out waves of flavors from just-mowed grass to kiwi and oregano. Evolving notes of tangerine and vanilla are buoyed by a mineral base. Anthony Dias Blue’s Tasting Panel 92 pts

Bright, expressive, and delicate with fine citrus fruit. Has gentle passionfruit character, some pear, and lovely texture and weight. This is bright and expressive with lovely purity, showing the sophisticated side of Marlborough Sauvignon. This is focused and bright, with some fine green notes on the finish. Wine Anorak 91 pts

Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc 2022

There is a considerable following already for Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc, so when Dena, Tim, and I tasted the wine, we wanted to see what all the hubbub was about. This wine does not disappoint. This wine does not have that aggressive grapefruit and acid that I find overwhelming in many New Zealand SB. Instead, there is a tamed Pomelo citrus on the nose and also on the palate with orange rind, apple, and dried apricot. Crisp acidity, as you could expect, but with some weight in the mid-palate. The orange rind followed through on the finish. A beautifully balanced Sauvignon Blanc that is a fantastic value at this price. I can see why many customers want this New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc above all others, maybe because sunstones are magical. I can’t seem to get Van Morrison’s Moondance out of my head. Everybody now, “It’s a marvelous night for a Moondance, with the stars up above…..”

Regular Price: $12.99

*Sale Price is on 12 or more bottle purchase

Wine is packed in a 12-bottle case

*Wine pricing for these wine promotions are held for two weeks after the email offer.

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Cheers!

John Hannum,

Fine & Rare Wine Specialist

Attleboro

628 Washington St.

Norwood

942 Providence Hgwy.

Sturbridge

376 Main Street.

Swansea

207 Swansea Mall Dr.

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