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.
Within Marlborough there are many diverse microclimates and soil types. Rapaura is home to generous ripe fruity flavours: Wairau the pungent exotic fruits and passionfruit, Waihopai Valley and Ward add a flinty minerality to the mix with some citrus and the Awatere Valley giving generous herbaceous notes. They have taken each area’s qualities and blended them to achieve a full harmonious wine with pungent aromas and lovely acidity.
Once harvested, the fruit was gently pressed and the juice fermented at cool temperatures to capture the vibrant fruit flavours from the vineyards. Rapaura Springs Sauvignon Blanc has a broad range of fine fruit flavours from each of the Marlborough sub-regions.
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.
Pure and vibrant with layers of passionfruit, tropical fruit and zesty citrus. Juicy fruit flavours and crisp acidity combine to deliver a mouth-watering finish. Capturing all the trademark sub-regional flavours of Marlborough.
Try with grilled fish and herb butter, a crisp Caesar salad or the favourite fish and chips!
Best served at 10-12°C
90 Points – Wine Spectator 2023
93 Points –Wine Orbit 2022
Double Gold – CWSA 2022
Marlborough, New Zealand
100% Sauvignon Blanc
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