Description
Family owned, Dog Point is one of the oldest privately established vineyards in the Marlborough region with plantings established over 40 years ago.The winery holds New Zealand’s largest certified organic vineyard area by BioGro New Zealand. Biodiversity is present on the property with native plantings and walkways, an organic vegetable garden, orchards, beehives, olive and pine nut trees. The vineyard’s topography is unique to Marlborough, taking in hillside blocks and flat land parcels, with clay and silty loams. All fruit (including the sauvignon blanc) is hand-picked from low cropped vines. Wines are bottled without fining and minimal filtration, a reflection of their low interventionist ethos.
About this wine from the winemaker: “Our version of the classic dry aromatic style of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Lovely saline acidity and bright citrus fruit characters burst on the palate, offering refreshment from the first sip. The wine calls for simple fresh seafood but can also be enjoyed as a pre-dinner aperitif.
“Grapes are picked from eight of our own vineyards within the Wairau Valley. Cropped at an average of 10 tonnes/hectare. The fruit is whole bunch pressed, cold settled before fermentation and 5 months aging in stainless steel tanks. A portion of this wine is fermented using indigenous yeast. Bottled without fining.
“Spring started warm and dry, with budburst timing about 7-10 days earlier than average, with only one significant frost. Idyllic sunny and warm conditions, set up one of the best flowering and fruit sets across all varieties in many decades. December provided a good dose of heat with multiple days over 30 ˚C and well spaced rainfalls to replenish the soils. Dry but cloudy conditions dominated January slowing development nicely, then becoming sunny from February onwards. 2025 proved to be a season of patience. With generous yields and largely favourable weather over the growing season, the fruit took some time to ripen fully. Thankfully, Marlborough’s classic dry and warm conditions kept fruit quality high over what was our longest harvest period (46 days) in 24 years.
“Aromas of restrained elderflower florals with grapefruit, white peach and pears, followed by underlying complex smoky-flint notes. Lovely saline acidity and bright citrus fruit characters burst on the palate, offering refreshment from the first sip. Fruit sweetness compliments and balances the acid backbone, finishing dry with fine phenolics intertwined with the acidity. Drinks beautifully now or can be cellared for 5+ years.”
97 points, Shanteh Wale, Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion “A wine that catches you off guard with its familiar waft of candle wax and sparkler flint. There’s a wistful white floral aroma of frangipani and freesia drawing you in. As it opens, notes of pomelo, white pear and pineapple emerge. The wine then lights up like fireworks – the soft, sparkling kind – revealing hints of lemonade, yellow melon and a glittering acidity that is carefully bridled. Nuances of celery heart and fresh ginger follow, adding complexity. It is exquisite in its balance – teetering tropical notes, the fragility of herbal suggestion and an utterly moreish finish.”
95 points, Jeni Port, Wine Pilot “The ’25 vintage Sauvignon is a lasting reminder of the legacy of Dog Point co-founder and chief winemaker, James Healy, who died in February this year. His last vintage was a cracker quality-wise and the man, who was instrumental in the ground-breaking Cloudy Bay Sauvignons of the 90s, produced a gently complexed and intensely fruited style built on citrus, lime-peel aromas, baked apple, spice and spring blossom florals. This is the first time that this Sauvignon Blanc has been made with 100% wild yeasts, something that is set to continue. A flinty, slate complexity comes into view on the palate, tensile and tangy, fleshy through the middle, holding citrus and apple at its core with a dusting of fresh cut herbs, dill and green tea. As dry, crisp and as fresh as they come, delightfully so. Thank you, James!”
93 points, Wine Spectator “Complex and highly detailed, with notes of honeysuckle and lemon oil, plus touches of saline and grilled Meyer lemon. Yuzu, pomelo and citron flavors, along with lemongrass and fresh ginger, linger effortlessly on a sleek, mouthwatering frame.”
RRP $38 Our Special Price $26.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
