Pioneer Block 29 Blind Block Albariño

An excellent New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with a subtle green hue, from the renowned Marlborough Valley region east of Blenheim. The grapes come from a selected vineyard in the Wairau Valley, in the coolest part of the Marlborough region. The vineyard is planted in a single orientation, slightly different from the usual north–south alignment, and produces exceptionally healthy fruit.

The vineyard rows are located on the upper terrace of the Awatere Valley, where gravelly soil combined with wind encourages slow, even ripening. This valley is well suited to late-ripening Albariño grapes with naturally high acidity. The vineyard is exposed to moderate sunlight and wind. The vines are planted at a 43-degree angle to the northeast–southwest direction, rather than in the customary north–south orientation. This gives the grapes on the southern side a slightly greener character, while those on the northern side develop a more tropical character.
The resulting wine is therefore multidimensional and complex. The parcel is more colourful and darker than other parts of the valley, and the grapes ripen more slowly. Its distinctive, characteristic aroma is of crushed flowers (often associated with the Awatere coastal region), but it lacks sweet notes.
Vineyards: vertical trellising, four canes.

Dry Albariño from the Awatere Valley in Marlborough pairs beautifully with seafood, such as oysters, shrimp or grilled salmon. It also complements vegetable dishes, such as asparagus, zucchini or roasted peppers, and salads, for example with goat cheese. Thanks to its fresh acidity, it’s also ideal with Asian cuisine, such as Vietnamese spring rolls or sushi.

This family winery, founded in 1994,
is a pioneer in the Marlborough region.
It is now one of New Zealand’s leading
wineries, with award-winning wines year after year.