• Delivery
Wine clubWine clubWine clubWine club
  • Gift registry
  • Wishlist
  • FAQs
William James Maxwell was an architectural sculptor who migrated from Scotland to Australia in 1875. He built a mock castle and established a family vineyard just outside Adelaide, which he named Woodlands Park. His son planted vines in nearby McLaren Vale and his grandson served a term as winemaker for Hardy Wines at the historic Tintara wineworks. William Maxwell's progeny remain in McLaren Vale, producing the southern hemisphere's most successful brands of Honey Mead, as well as vintages of the most extraordinary value in McLaren Vale Shiraz. But what does Maxwell taste like? Gentleman James Halliday describes Maxwell as robust, picking the eyes out of McLaren Vale shiraz; licorice, dark chocolate, savoury firm, ripe tannins, blackberry, positive oak the icing on the cake. Terrific value. Oh yes, he suggests that it should be enjoyed by.. Made of mature vine mclaren vale »
Established 1853 by George Friedrich Schmidt, who acquired eighteen choice hectares of viticulture at Tanunda along Siegersdorf Road, for the peppercorn price of a pound per acre, Haan endures as one of the Barossa's quietly achieving, arcane old vineyards. Distinguished in the 21st century by a streak of prestigious industry accolades, Australian Wine Producer of Year, Gold Medal and Trophy for Best Blended Red at the illustrious London International Wine & Spirit Competition. Much of Haan's modest production is always retained by the softly spoken estate's most ardent enthusiasts. Shrewd aspirants will also seize the opportunity to retain a case or two of the heirloom vineyard's most recent vintage. A graceful style of opaque fruit characters, savoury and brooding, inebriating for its redolence of Barossa earth, mesmerising for its intricacy, dressed in a veil of refined,.. Tanunda tradition»

Vavasour Redwood Pass Sauvignon Blanc 2012 CONFIRM 2012 VINTAGE

Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Awatare Wairau New Zealand
By the illustrious Vavasour of Awatere, one of the protagonists of vigorously fruit driven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.It's not just the grinding westerly winds or the imposing presence of Tapuae-O-Uenuku. Deep, rocky soils and arid climesall make a contribution to the inimitable character, flavour and texture of Vavasour's wines.
Fruit for Redwood Pass is harvested from Wairau and Awatere Valley vineyards throughout the cool of night to retain flavour and freshness. Cool spring temperatures restrict yields, ideal for the concentration of flavours. Dry autumns allow for the fruit to develop optimum maturity. Although growing conditions across the two valleys are similar, there are enough differences for Vavasour to formulate a complex yet fully integrated wine. State of the art handling techniques and unique yeast strains are integral to the vinification process, capturing and enhancing the vibrant fruit flavours. A profoundly fresh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, vivaciously fruit derived, bottled completely unwooded and unoaked.
A pale straw colour. Classic regional styling, on the nose it shows ripe passionfruit, guava and fragrant citrus notes, balanced by a great mineral acidity. A surprisingly full-bodied wine with very pure and pungent melon and green capsicum flavours, the palate offers ripe melon and lime with lingering gooseberry flavours. Redwood Pass is crisp and dry and will complement a wide variety of food, try with goat or feta cheese salad.
Vavasour
1 - 7 of 7
1
1 - 7 of 7
1
Vavasour
Vavasour Wines are the pioneers of the Awatere Valley

Vavasour were the first to plant in what is now regarded as one of the premium grape growing regions of Marlborough, New Zealand. The soils here are free draining and the climate dry, warm and frost free. The area has a climate different to the rest of Marlborough so can produce wines with a unique and distinct flavour.

Vavasour

Each year outstanding parcels of grapes are earmarked for special attention. When the resulting wine is regarded as outstanding, it forms the small quantity of wine under the Vavasour banner. While the fruit is the driving force in Vavasour wines, there is more focus on the structure, subtleties and complexity. The Vavasour range is designed to improve with age.

The Vavasour family have a strong historical background. They can trace their ancestry back to the time of the Norman invasion of England. One of their ancestors is thought to have been a 'taster' for William the Conqueror. The rooster on the label is from the family crest, the emblem on the rooster is an indication of the family's lineage.The Vavasours arrived in New Zealand and established themselves in the Awatere Valley in 1890.

After some research it was found that the climate and soils of the Awatere region were quite similar to those of the Wairau. In fact, the soil in the Awatere Valley is less fertile (this is a good thing) than the Wairau. Low fertility naturally restricts vigour in the vine. The Awatere Valley is also drier, and with no underground water the vines are bound to struggle.

Vavasour

Although the conditions in the Wairau are similar, there are enough differences between the two valleys for to make unique and individual wines. In 1985, after the site was carefully assessed, the Vavasour family and friends decided to make a serious investment in viticulture - Vavasour Wines was established. The first vineyards (30 acres) planted in the region were on the Vavasour 'home' block. This vineyard was made up of two terraces. The top terrace was planted in Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, while the lower terrace was planted in red varietals - Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Cabernet.

The first vintage was 1989. Within three years Vavasour had won numerous gold medals in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Glenn Thomas, winemaker, won Winemaker of the Year in 1992. Those first years officially put the Awatere Valley on the map of great wine making regions.

Vavasour are dedicated to the Awatere region and the philosophy is to concentrate on fruit grown in the area. Selected grapes are handpicked; this ensures that only the best fruit makes it into the bottle. The Vavasour vineyards are trained on the vertical shoot positioning trellis. In all its viticultural techniques Vavasour have focussed on quality over quantity.

The intrinsic value characters of the Awatere valley are perfect for the production of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. The emphasis remains on Sauvignon Blanc, however other varieties such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling will receive the golden 'Vavasour' touch..

Vavasour