We have access to over 120 hectares, half of which are company-owned and half leased or from long-term, contract growers.
Our wines are made from grapes grown across the Marlborough region. This means we have the flexibility to choose the best fruit and to maintain a consistent style for our labels from one vintage to the next. Growing grapes in a number of locations also means we benefit from different soil types and microclimates, adding further complexity to the resulting wines. And it also protects us should one part of the region not perform as well in any given season – we have options.
Wairau Valley
Defined by its proximity to the 170 km-long Wairau River running from the mountains to the ocean, it offers cooler, drier, barren and stony sites with pockets of clay. Wines from our Wairau sites give us tropical, passionfruit and citrus components together with a succulent, juicy character.
Southern Valleys
Originating from glacial outwash, these predominantly loam soils are moderately stony over clay deposits, resulting in low vine vigour. The wines are of greater concentration and depth of flavour, enhanced by the greater range of temperatures resulting in the grapes able to stay on the vines for longer.
Awatere Valley
The silty loam, river terrace soils are free-draining, glacial gravel and wind-borne loess over shallow, stony clay. Diverse stone materials contribute to the mineral tones in the wines while the lack of underground water limits vigour and yield, resulting in ripe, intense fruit characters.
Authentically Marlborough
Appellation Marlborough Wine certification
In addition to our commitment to sustainability, our Sauvignon Blancs are certified under Appellation Marlborough Wine.
Lawson’s Dry Hills were among the first to adopt the Appellation Marlborough Wine certification (from the 2018 vintage). We believe it is a strong tool that proves our Sauvignon Blanc is authentically Marlborough – i.e. 100% Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, sustainably grown to managed yields and bottled here in New Zealand. You can read more about AMW here.
