96/100 points by James Suckling!

Vermentino a rare Mediterranean gem, best known from Sardinia finds a stunning new expression in our sun-soaked Marlborough vineyard by the Wairau River. With vibrant aromatics echoing our Viognier, it charms with a lively, mineral-laced palate shaped by our stony soils. A true original, and quietly one of our rarest and finest.

Vintage 2024

A warm, dry growing season with a naturally small crop due to cooler spring days during flowering resulted in remarkable concentration and balance. Originally from the Mediterranean, where it flourishes in coastal regions like Sardinia, Vermentino finds a perfect home in Marlboroughs maritime climate, producing a wine of vibrant freshness, saline minerality, and refined texture.

Hans’Winemaking Comments

A brief cold soak to extract the essence from the skins before allowing the must to ferment naturally with wild yeast. Regular lees stirring at the end of fermentation added complexity and depth. Staying true to my hands-on approach in the vineyard and hands-off philosophy in the winery, this small-batch wine was not cold stabilized, remained unfined, and underwent only light filtration.

Tasting Notes

A vibrant medley of mandarin, ripe yellow apple, apricot, and honeysuckle, layered with savoury hints of wild fennel. Its crisp acidity and pronounced minerality make it an excellent companion for food, offering both freshness and complexity. Tasted April 2025 by Andrea Martinisi.

Technical Data

Variety 100%Vermentino Rootstock 3309 Vine Planted 2012 Soil Shallow (<45cm) well drained sandy, gravelly soil, developed from stony alluvium. Plant Density 5,500 vines / ha Yield 2.5t/ha Alcohol 13.5% Residual Sugar

<1g/l

Ageing Potential

5 to 7 years

Bottles Produced 489

Food Matching Suggestions

The salinity in this full-bodied but fresh wine means it works wonderfully well with pasta, especially linguine with seafood or pesto. Seafood dishes, think mussels, cockles or octopus and grilled Chicken will be heavenly too.

Industry Reviews

Score 96/100 by James Suckling “Very mineral and citrusy aromas of lemon confit, flint, orange blossoms and kaffir limes with hints of white flowers and chalk. The textural, rounded mouthfeel and tightly wound acidity carry a lovely phenolic grip that persists on the medium-bodied palate. Quite saline also. Absolutely divine. Excellent. Drink or hold. ” March 2025.