Chosen Rows Sauvignon Blanc
⏳ Drinking Window
2023 - 2027
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Pan-seared white fish with a lemon-herb butter sauce, classic French goat cheese tart, or herb-roasted chicken.
✨ Technical Specifications
Brancott Estate holds a legendary place in New Zealand wine history, having planted the very first Sauvignon Blanc vines in Marlborough in 1973, forever transforming the global wine landscape. 'Chosen Rows' represents the pinnacle of this pioneering spirit. It is a sophisticated, small-parcel cuvée crafted from hand-selected vines grown on the clay-rich soils of the Brancott Vineyard. Unlike the bright, tank-fermented styles that define the region, Chosen Rows undergoes wild yeast fermentation and extended maturation in seasoned French oak puncheons. This artisanal approach yields a complex, highly textured wine with layers of ripe stone fruit, subtle smoky oak, and a rich, creamy mouthfeel, while retaining Marlborough's signature vibrant acidity.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1973 by Frank Yukich under Montana Wines, Brancott Estate occupies hallowed ground as the pioneer of commercial viticulture in Marlborough. Against the prevailing mid-century consensus that the South Island was overly cold for grape production, Yukich planted the first vines in the Brancott Valley, followed in 1975 by Sauvignon Blanc cuttings that catalyzed New Zealand's modern wine phenomenon upon their inaugural 1979 release. Set across alluvial gravel, silt loams, and stony terrace soils cooled by maritime Pacific breezes, the estate harnesses diurnal temperature fluctuations that preserve vibrant natural acidity and amplify aromatics. Viticulture adheres strictly to Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand guidelines, supplemented by certified organic blocks. Vinification centers on precision temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation alongside selected barrel fermentation for elevated cuvées. Benchmark expressions include the varietally expressive Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, the oak-textured Letter Series 'B' and 'R' bottlings, and the single-block icon Chosen Rows.