2023 Atipico 'Omaka Valley Blanc' Sauvignon Blanc

100% Sauvignon Blanc, but as the name Atipico would suggest, a little atypical in that it has been skin-fermented for 9 days.

A complex wine with a nose of jasmine, fennel and citrus, the wine has a rich, pithy texture to it, nice juicy ripe phenolics (mouth feel) and immense tension, texture and length. 

Vineyard 
The wine comes from a small block of Sauvignon Blanc grown in the Omaka Valley, near the end of Brookby Road. A gentle sheltered ridge on the eastern side of the valley slopes to the north and a few degrees west. Clay soils and Marlborough sunlight influence the vines, showcasing the site in a beautiful, evocative and expressive wine.

Harvest and fermentation 
Handpicked on the 1st of April and fermented as whole clusters in a small open top oak vessel. A gentle pat of the cap each day to keep it fresh and satisfy curiosity. After 9 days the golden must was gently pressed directly to a seasoned French oak puncheon (500L).

Winemaking and Bottling
The remainder of primary fermentation was complete after a week in the puncheon vessel. It was aged undisturbed on full lees for 15 months élevage. Malolactic fermentation was completed during the first Spring and Summer. It was then racked with a small 30ppm addition of sulphur dioxide. Bottled unfined and unfiltered in September 2024. A naturally occurring sediment is expected.

Awards
Real Review Finalists for Rising Star of the Year New Zealand 2025
Viva Wine Awards: NZ’s Top 50 Wineries For 2025