Monday 2nd February saw the UK launch of Yealands Estate Babydoll Sauvignon Blanc. This marks another chapter in the continuing success of the New Zealand wine producer, based in the stunning Awatere Valley of Marlborough.
Yealands Estate is one of the global leaders in sustainable winemaking. With over 1,500 hectares of privately owned vineyards, its wines and labels reflect the importance of the land and protecting biodiversity. For several years, they have 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. More recently, they have added a new solar panel installation and changed the pumps they use for drip irrigation from diesel to electric.
You can read more about their sustainability and green initiatives here.
Yealands Babydoll Sauvignon Blanc has been available in the on-trade in New Zealand and Australia for around ten years and the winery is now launching a new campaign to secure listings in the UK.
The Babydoll brand is named after a flock of miniature, cheeky-faced Babydoll sheep who help keep grass under control between the vines. The breed originates in the UK and its ancestor, the Southdown sheep, was first brought to New Zealand in the early 1840s. The modern Babydoll breed was brought over to the country only about 12 years ago by Peter Yealands, who founded Yealands Estate Wines with a focus always on sustainability.
Natalie Christensen, Yealands Wine Estate Chief Winemaker
Chief Winemaker, Natalie Christensen, explains further: "The Babydoll brand really highlights one of the sustainability initiatives that happens on the vineyard. Babydoll is a cute, miniature breed of sheep and because they are so short, their little legs are not tall enough to eat the grapes, so you can graze them all year round. So they're the happy, little, woolly mowers who are environmentally friendly and reduce our need for mowing.
It's a brand that we haven't actually put a lot of marketing into, but it's just had crazy growth and it seems to be a brand that really resonates with the younger consumer. It's not necessarily conventional. It's a little bit different and we think a UK offering will help, especially on-premise, to get people drinking Sauvignon."
🎚️ ABV: 12.5%.
🔍 Colour: Bright straw with a faint tinge of green.
👃 Nose: Gently aromatic with notes of tropical and citrus fruits, white flowers and herbs.
😋 Palate: Crisp and zesty, showing light notes of lemon, lime, passion fruit and guava with a mineral, wet stone finish.
🍴 Food Pairings: Good for drinking on its own, this would go well with simple salads, soft goats cheese, seafood or white fish dishes.
A Babydoll Martini
Babydoll Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2025 is an easy-drinking wine that's fresh, floral, zingy and fun and available now to the UK on-trade through Matthew Clark. With its added appeal as a versatile cocktail ingredient, as shown by its use in both a Spritz and Margarita, it is well-placed to attract the target Gen-Z consumer base.
