At Fairbourne we do things a little differently to some other Sauvignon Blanc winemakers. Whenever one considers the great wines around the world, and inevitably Europe, there are some common characteristics, they are style and site specific. From the outset we decided we would hand-pick grapes from a single vineyard and produce a terroir inspired Sauvignon Blanc, the ancient clay gravel soils where the vines grow, define Fairbourne’s unique style.

The methods we employ, not to mention the love, passion and skill that Sarah has for her winemaking craft, means that there are some things you may not know about Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc… So, let us enlighten you.

• Fairbourne ages well – Unlike, some Sauvignon Blanc wines, which should generally be drunk within a year or 2 of vintage date, you can cellar a Fairbourne Premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for up to ten years. Our wine is naturally lower in sugar, and less acidic, so the complex layers mature gracefully.
• Not just an aperetif – A chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc is often considered as simply a refreshing aperetif before moving on to the main event. At Fairbourne our wine is crafted to be enjoyed with food. It is, of course, a wonderful apéritif to serve with canapés. But, it can also honour a starter, especially seafood or smoked salmon. It also pairs beautifully with white meats like chicken, turkey, goose and pork, and can accompany your cheese course… Goat cheese, a delicious Chevre, and Sauvignon Blanc, is a match made in heaven.
• Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc consistently earns 5* reviews – Restraint is the key influence of the Fairbourne winemaking philosophy. That’s one of the reasons we produce wines that are consistently reviewed as five-star offerings by the industry’s top wine experts. Here is Raymond Chan’s review for Fairbourne 2017…
  

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  Bright, light straw-yellow colour with pale green tints, lighter on the edge.  The nose has an elegantly concentrated and taut core of aromatic gooseberries and fragrant white florals with an amalgam of fresh herbs, snow peas, unveiling cooler nettle and mineral notes.  The aromatics are refined with a mouthwatering and penetrating intensity.  Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is sleek and finely concentrated with a heart of gooseberry fruit entwined with fresh herbs, nettles and cut-grass, unfolding white florals and minerals.  The palate flows along a fine line with electric tension from the zesty acidity, leading to a lingering finish of gooseberries and nettles.  This is a refined and elegantly concentrated Sauvignon Blanc with gooseberry fruit and cool-spectrum notes, white florals and minerals on a racy palate.  Serve with seafood and Pacific Rim fare over the next 2-3 years.

We know it’s customary at this time of year to make a few resolutions, but at Fairbourne, we think those New Year’s pledges should be less about abstaining from the things you enjoy, and more about appreciating those things even more, thus ensuring your 2018 is a happy one! So with that in mind, we have three New Year’s Resolutions to help you relish every sip of your Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

1. Resolve to ignore dry January – We’ve heard it’s become a thing…! No matter whether you’re in the Southern or Northern hemisphere January is a tricky time of year to go teetotal! If you’re in the Southern hemisphere you are mid-summer and with that comes all the social get-togethers of the season. If you’re in the Northern hemisphere, January is generally cold, dark and miserable, and taking away the treat of a tipple or two just makes it more melancholy! So rather than abstain altogether, choose to drink better and embrace quality over quantity, by selecting the very best Sauvignon Blanc. At Fairbourne we hand-pick our grapes from a single vineyard. Our wine is supple across the palate with a generous mouth-feel, the vibrant and expressive fruit flavours lead to a smooth dry finish. Fairbourne consistently achieves five-star reviews.
2. Resolve to try new food and wine pairings – We believe that good wine is made to be drunk with good food! Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is extremely versatile. While it’s true that it pairs beautifully with seafood, fresh oysters, steamed mussels, and salmon. It also pairs with white meats like chicken and pork, and even if these are served with herb sauces or rubs the Sauvignon Blanc holds it own. The wine’s vibrant flavors also compliment spicy and ethnic cuisines.
3. Resolve to let your wine evolve – Unlike many Sauvignon Blanc wines, Fairbourne 2016 will be as good, if not better by the end of this year, the year after, and the year after that! Raymond Chan recently re-reviewed our Fairbourne 13, it kept its five-star rating, and Raymond said it was… “better with bottle age.” Buy a case of Fairbourne, and drink a bottle on the same day each year for the next six years to see how gracefully the complex layers mature.

Here’s to a Happy New Year!