Sherwood Estate, Sherwood Sauvignon Blanc, Waipara, New Zealand, 2023

Producer Profile

Dayne and Jill Sherwood founded their wine estate in 1987, at a time when not many people in New Zealand fully understood the wine industry, including them!

Together they have built the company from a small 20 acre block in north Canterbury to one of New Zealand’s largest family owned and independent wineries. Their customer built winery in the Waipara Valley may have seemed huge at the time, but now is bursting at the seams with epic wines, exuding great balance under the meticulous winemaking of Chief Winemaker, Petter Evans.

Viticulture

The winery is fully accredited under the Sustainable Winegrowers guidelines. Sherwood Estate’s overriding vineyard philosophy revolves around the word balance. Sherwood Estate is committed to showing continual improvement in environmental management practice and performance, and in all activities seek to identify, monitor and improve the company's impact on the environment.

Winemaking

Grown on various Waipara Valley soils including the valley floor riverbed shingles as well as heavier hillside clay and lime soils, only the most premium fruit was selected for this wine. Following harvest the fruit was gently pressed, allowed to settle and cool ferment for four weeks. Three months of lees contact has imparted a depth of fruit flavour. The parcels of wine were then blended before being lightly fined and filtered prior to bottling. The finished wine is delicate displaying fine fruit flavours and bright acidity.

Tasting Note

Bright and expressive on the nose, this wine bursts with fresh gooseberry, passionfruit, and zesty citrus aromas, finishing with a tropical lift reminiscent of guava and ripe passionfruit. The palate is vibrant and well-structured, delivering intensity and freshness that carry through to a long, tropical-tinged finish. Best enjoyed within the next two to three years for peak freshness and flavour.

Food Matching

Herb crusted white fish, goats cheese salad or fresh oysters.