Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2026
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Freshly shucked oysters, grilled green-lipped mussels, or a classic goat cheese salad.
✨ Technical Specifications
Villa Maria, founded in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich, is a cornerstone of New Zealand's modern winemaking legacy. The Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc is a single-vineyard expression originating from a unique site sheltered on the north bank of the Awatere River in Marlborough. Here, the terroir features a mix of stony gravels, silt, and clay soils, combined with a cooler, windier microclimate compared to the neighboring Wairau Valley. This slower ripening period imparts a distinctive mineral edge and intense aromatic profile to the 100% Sauvignon Blanc grape. The wine is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve its vibrant, punchy character, resulting in a classic Marlborough style defined by flinty minerality, fresh herbs, lemongrass, and bright citrus.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich, Villa Maria stands as one of New Zealand's most celebrated and pioneering wine producers. From its historic roots in Auckland, the winery has established extensive vineyard holdings across the premier winegrowing regions of Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, and Gisborne. Renowned for its steadfast dedication to sustainability and quality innovation, Villa Maria played an instrumental role in shaping modern New Zealand viticulture and championing regional expressiveness. The estate's diverse portfolio ranges from the globally recognized Private Bin series to site-specific single-vineyard and Reserve wines, excelling in vibrant Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, refined Pinot Noir, complex Chardonnay, and structured Hawke's Bay red blends.
🍇 Grape Varieties
100% Sauvignon Blanc