Vavasour Wines

Address: Redwood Pass Road, Awatere Valley

Region: Marlborough

Size: Mediuim

First Vintage: 1989

Exported to US: Yes

A dozen or so miles south of Blenheim and the bustle of central Marlborough lies the Awatere Valley. Until recently, Vavasour had the place pretty much to it itself. In the past few years , there has been a flurry of vineyard plantings but there still aren't too many buildings. Vavasour is one of the few, on a rise overlooking the Awtere River as it flows to the Pacific Ocean. The tasting area at Vavasour, when I was there, was a counter top set on a couple of barrels inside the winery. It doesn't get any more genuine that that. Vavasour also markets a nice second label line-up called Dashwood.

Wines:

• Chardonnay
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Riesling
• Pinot Noir
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Pinot Gris