Marlborough is well worth a visit not only famous for its famous wines, but also its picturesque coastline of the Marlborough Sounds, featuring many sheltered bays and harbours. Greenstone Point Winery started in 1997 as a joint venture company, Greenstone Point now has its own vineyard in Marlborough and produces wine from the company owned vineyards as well as selected Marlborough growers. Currently Greenstone Point produces around 15,000 cases per annum.
To date Greenstone Point wines have found an overwhelmingly favourable response throughout New Zealand, Australia, the USA and the United Kingdom. Greenstone Point management have ambitious plans for the company, the goal being to acquire more land for planting and to be a dominant middle sized New Zealand wine company offering premium wines at value for money price points.
The Greenstone Point winemakers hold a passionate belief that great wine is made in the vineyard, consequently a real emphasis is placed on vineyard management. This is done by intensive canopy management during the summer, beginning with VSP trellising systems. The labour intensive vineyards management allows the winegrowers to carry out practices such as shoot positioning, shoot spacing, shoot thinning, leaf plucking and fruit thinning.
Throughout winter the following year’s crop is prepared by individually cane pruning each individual vine by hand. Very labour intensive stuff but central to the philosophy that the best possible fruit is necessary for the crafting of the highest possible quality wines.
The Greenstone Point Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are sourced from the winery's estate vineyards as well as local growers. Gently pressed and settled prior to undergoing a cool fermentation they both display the floral aromas and lively tropical highlights that have made Marlborough the international ambassador of New Zealand's wines.
The Chardonnay is from vineyard sites in Marlborough and Waipara. After a gentle pressing, a portion undergoes 50% wood fermentation and extended lees contact to develop rich and creamy characters. The Greenstone Point Pinot Noir is hand plunged three times per day and spends an average of 13 days on skins. This is a beautifully balanced Marlborogh Pinot which displays rich earthy and berry fruit flavours.
