Wairau River

Established in 1978, the Rose family estate vineyards rest on the banks of the Wairau River (pronounced "why‐raow"). Pioneers in this region, the Roses selected the best sites for their vineyards, expressive of the Marlborough terroir. Wairau River Wines remains a true family owned winery committed to its craft, using 100% estate grown fruit tended in small batches from vine to bottle. It maintains low yields ripened in shallow, low-fertility soil to produce concentrated flavors in its wines. Renowned for their powerful fruit and classic elegance, the label’s wines are true to their varieties and convey a sense of place. The 2012 Pinot Gris is dry with classic pear and quince flavors. The grapes come from some of the oldest Pinot Gris vines in Marlborough. Harvested in the cool morning hours, they are gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged on light lees for a creaminess and mid palate weight. A small parcel is fermented and aged in old French oak using indigenous yeast to add texture and layers of flavor. After careful and purposeful blending, the wine is left to settle before bottling on the Wairau River Estate. It exhibits a complexity of baked pear, quince and floral aromas as well as mouth-filling stone fruit and spice flavors with superb length.