Owned by the Neylon family, Rapaura Springs has an astonishing track record of Trophies and top points for its wines. The family started their farming career with mussels and apples but found vines much more rewarding and since making this move haven’t looked back. Their goal is to enhance the environment around them through sustainable vineyard and winemaking practices that will leave a natural legacy for future generations. Rapaura Springs have a philosophy of minimum intervention, and all vineyards are carefully managed under strict Sustainable Wine Growing New Zealand standards. They let Marlborough’s land, climate and water do the hard work, then handcraft superb wines at the state of the art winery, leaving the vineyards to tell their own story, with just a little nudge in the right direction from experienced viticulture and winemaking teams. The result is a selection of focused, terroir-driven Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs with outstanding varietal expression.
The Rapaura Springs Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is a selection of the best parcels from the harvest, resulting in a sub-regional blend of wines. It has been made to showcase the diversity of the flavours produced in Marlborough wine. The Sauvignon Blanc for this wine is grown in the Dillons Point and lower Wairau sub-regions, known for expressive aromatics and ripe fruit flavour. We believe these sites grow the best Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough.
The winery is the only facility in this sub-region, meaning our grapes are immediately pressed after harvest, minimising skin contact. This allows the winery to capture all the expressive aromatics and fruit flavour, without bitter phenolics. After pressing, the juice was settled and then cool fermented in stainless steel to retain the vibrant flavours and aromas. We use a variety of yeast strains to provide palate weight and complexity.
The 2022 growing season began with significant rain, marking the end of three years of drought in Marlborough. A period of warmth in early December produced a welcome and better than average fruit-set. In late February there were a couple of significant rains which replenished the soil moisture levels that had reduced during summer. During the two weeks that followed cool days and nights meant the acidities remained on the high side. Harvest coincided with the peak of New Zealand’s Omicron outbreak, which put some pressure on staffing. Excellent teamwork meant harvest took place when the fruit was ready, retaining vibrant acidity and concentrated fruit flavour.
This wine was created to redefine the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc style. A real crowd pleaser, it is loved for its juicy, ripe flavours and restrained acidity. Each glass is brimming with succulent flavours of passionfruit, tropical fruit and black currant. The fruit flavour is balanced with crisp acidity and a distinct salty minerality, which combine to create a mouth-watering finish.
This wine is versatile and would pair well to a wide range of white meat and seafood dishes. Try with your favourite shellfish meal, creamy rock oysters or a Chicken Enchilada.
Best served at 10-12°C
Champion Sauvignon Blanc – New World Wine Awards 2022
Gold – China Wine & Spirits Awards 2022
95 Points – Wine Orbit 2022
93 Points – Wine Spectator 2022
93 Points – Cameron Douglas MS 2022
93 Points – Bob Campbell MW 2022
92 Points – Candice Chow 2022
90 Points – James Suckling 2022
90 Points – Wine Enthusiast 2022
Marlborough, New Zealand
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Screwcap
13%
Yes
Yes
