Product Description
The Vavasour family traces their ancestry back to the Norman invasion of England. One Vavasour ancestor is thought to have been a ‘taster’ for William the Conqueror. The rooster on our label is from the family crest and is an indication of the family’s lineage. The Vavasours arrived in New Zealand and established themselves in the Awatere Valley in 1890. Nearly a century later in 1985, Peter Vavasour identified the Awatere Valley as the new frontier for New Zealand wine growing and planted the first grapes there. Vavasour’s 85 hectare (196-acre) estate vineyards are located in one of the marquee sites for growing grapes in the Awatere Valley. The Awatere Valley is a sub-appellation within Marlborough. It has deep Greywacke soils compacted over millions of years by ancient glaciers. Huge boulders, carried down the Awatere River, are strewn across the valley floor. The vineyards are partially protected from the prevailing north-westerly winds by a broad range of mountain peaks. Awatere valley wines are particularly prized for their intense aromatics, ripe flavours, dynamic textures and concentration. Vavasour’s first vintage was 1989; within three years they were garnering high accolades and had officially put Awatere Valley on the map of great wine making regions.
Vavasour Pinot Gris brings out the floral side of the variety. A lovely mix of freshness, richness and complexity. Features aromas of pear, spice, braeburn apple and lychee with a rich, off dry, opulent and balanced palate.