Few wine writers have been as constant and valuable to New Zealand’s wine industry as Michael Cooper (ONZM). His eloquent championing of NZ wines, producers and regions and his telling of stories through his many books, guides and articles has aided the discovery and success of many of today’s finest NZ wineries.

Taking a step back in time to one of Cooper’s very first books ‘The Wines and Vineyards of New Zealand’, a young Sophie appears with her parents at their boutique winery Parker Methode Champenoise in Tairawhiti Gisborne (with some serious early 90s glamour courtesy of Catherine, Sophie's mum!). 

32 years later, in a fulfilling circle, we’re delighted to receive Michael’s latest outstanding reviews for Sophie and Matt’s own wines. While we don’t make bottled-fermented sparklings or nouveau reds, the generational values are strong. Our wines embody the same fascination and love for treading a different path, of small batch, exciting wines that capture the imagination and always deliver on outstanding quality.   

5 STARS ***** 2024 Blank Canvas Holdaway Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc:

“Already delicious, the distinctive 2024 vintage has a fresh, fragrant bouquet. Mouthfilling and vibrantly fruity, it has a lovely array of pure, penetrating fruit flavours - passionfruit, peach, pear and lime - a slightly salty streak, and a crisp, dry, lingering finish.”

5 STARS ***** 2021 Blank Canvas Abstract Three Rows Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc:

“Designed as an ageworthy 'Savoury Blanc', the classy 2021 vintage [is] bright lemon/green, with a rich, savoury bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with concentrated, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, gentle mealy notes, finely integrated oak, and excellent vigour and complexity.  A top example of barrel-fermented Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, it's a drink now or cellaring proposition.”

5 STARS ***** 2023 Blank Canvas Reed Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay:

“The impressive, savoury 2023 vintage [is] pale lemon, with a subtle, inviting bouquet, it is a weighty, very finely textured wine, with ripe, peachy, citrusy, slightly mealy flavours, vibrant acidity, and a well-rounded, seamless finish. Full of youthful energy, it's well worth cellaring to 2027+.”

5 STARS ***** 2023 Blank Canvas Tano Marlborough Chardonnay:

“The distinctive, very elegant 2023 vintage was grown in the Blind River district, at "one of the coolest, coastal sites in all of Marlborough." … it has a highly fragrant, mealy bouquet.  Showing obvious potential for cellaring, it is mouthfilling and vibrant, with rich, peachy, citrusy, biscuity flavours, balanced acidity, and excellent weight, drive and harmony.”

5 STARS ***** 2023 Blank Canvas Marlborough Grüner Veltliner:

“The distinctive, savoury 2023 vintage [is] mouthfilling, fresh and dry, with strong, citrusy, spicy, peachy flavours, showing excellent delicacy, complexity and length.  Already highly enjoyable, it should break into full stride 2026+.”

4.5 STARS **** 2024 Blank Canvas Anandale Farm Marlborough Riesling:

“The pale lemon/green 2024 vintage is a single-vineyard wine, hand-harvested at Blind River, south of the Awatere Valley.  Light-bodied (9 per cent alcohol by volume), it is a vigorous, medium style of Riesling, with penetrating, delicate, citrusy fruit flavours, finely balanced sweetness and acidity, and a lengthy, tightly structured finish.  Still very youthful, it's well worth cellaring to 2027+.”