Yealands Estate, based in the stunning Awatere Valley in Marlborough, New Zealand, is one of the global leaders in sustainable winemaking. The winery has now launched its new labels in the UK, celebrating the biodiversity of its land, a key part of its sustainability programme. These labels depict the beauty and diversity of flora and fauna in the vineyards, as well as the vibrancy and abundance of flavours in the wines.
Chief Winemaker, Natalie Christensen comments: "Making our vibrant and luscious Yealands Reserve wines is a true collaboration with nature. Our vines thrive in a natural environment filled with flora and fauna and produce wines with an abundance of flavour."
Christensen adds how they are always looking to increase biodiversity in the vineyards and have several projects on the go at once. They have already incorporated many initiatives for energy efficiency, environmental conservation and minimising waste. These include harnessing the power of offshore winds, composting and using natural pest control measures and cover crops. You can read more about their sustainability and green initiatives here.
Yealands Chief Winemaker, Natalie Christensen, at the UK launch event in London last month
"Making our vibrant and luscious Yealands Reserve wines is a true collaboration with nature. Our vines thrive in a natural environment filled with flora and fauna."
For the new labels, Yealands depicts much of the natural ecosystem of the vineyard, with bees buzzing and butterflies flourishing in the vines. There are several hives on site and over 200 native swan plants were planted to attract Monarch butterflies.
"I think the new label really taps into how abundant and full of life the vineyard is", says Christensen. "We're situated right on the coast and with the strong sea breezes, [our grapes] get very thick skins and a lot of flavours connected with those skins. Our wines are bursting with good flavour and life!"
So how important for Yealands and the country's wine industry is sustainability? Christensen explains further: "I think it's hugely important and New Zealand has been doing it really well for a long time. It's almost become commonplace … but for us, we're doing extra things as well. So, we currently have a project where we're planting over a million native trees on the property. There are solar panels already, but we're about to put in more and then we'll have the largest solar panel array in New Zealand. There is also a purpose-built [grape] marc facility where we make compost. We're constantly looking for new ways to add back to the land and make it a sustainable operation."
Unsurprisingly, she hopes other wineries will follow Yealands' lead. "I think it's important, especially as a bigger player, that you're definitely doing your bit as you have more impact. It's good to be a leader in that field and people can learn and support others through that process."
The 2022 vintage was a classic Marlborough vintage. A warm spring secured good fruit set throughout the region. Some challenging weather in February was rewarded with clear warm days throughout harvest. The cool crisp nights and warm days in March retained vibrant acidity, while allowing flavours to develop fully. A slow and steady ripening resulted in beautifully intense and structured wines, showing highly concentrated fruit flavours with characteristic freshness, purity and minerality. ABV is 12.5%.
Colour: Pale straw with a very slight hint of green.
Nose: Notes of passion fruit, peach, lemon, green herbs and blackcurrant leaf.
Palate: Juicy, mouth-filling notes of physalis, stone fruit, Granny Smith apple, pink grapefruit and herbs with refreshing acidity and a lingering, mineral finish.
Food Match: Great with seafood, creamy goats cheese or feta salads.
Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (RRP £12) is available in Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer. It's suitable for vegetarians, vegans and a gluten free diet. Ready to drink now, you can also keep this wine for up to two years, if you really want to! It's a perfect wine for enjoying in the late winter/early spring sunshine … when we have some. Cheers!
