Wineries
VAVASOUR
Pinpoint Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs from Awatere Valley.
It’s not just the grinding winds from the west or the imposing presence of Tapuae O Uenuku, the 10,000 foot peak that looms over Marlborough’s Awatere Valley. It’s not just the deep, shale soils formed millions of years ago by relentless glaciers that molded the landscape. It’s not just the arid climate marked by sundrenched days and cold, cold nights. It’s the combination of all those things together that shape the inimitable character, flavors and textures of Vavasour wines.
Our roots run deep: the Vavasours arrived in New Zealand and established themselves in the Awatere Valley in 1890, but the family can trace their ancestry back to the time of the Norman invasion of England. One notable ancestor is thought to have been a ‘taster’ for William the Conqueror. The rooster on our label is from the family crest and the emblem on the rooster is an indication of the family’s lineage.
A century later, Peter Vavasour planted the first home block in the Awatere Valley - our first vintage was 1989. We are dedicated to the Awatere Valley and our philosophy is to concentrate on producing the very best expressions of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from this region. We believe that great wine is made in the vineyard and we focus on quality over quantity.
Our People:
Stu Marfell - Winemaker
Susan Van Der Pol - Assistant Winemaker
Allan Crocker - Viticulturist
Matt Duncan - Vineyard Manager
Average Production: 25,000 cases annually
