Subregion: Dillons Point 

Valley: Wairau Valley 
Region: Marlborough

Grows: Sauvignon Blanc
Wine: Blank Canvas Holdaway Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and Blank Canvas Abstract | Three Rows Sauvignon Blanc

Growers: The Holdaway Family - Alan & Janette, Richard & Mary, Robbie & Laura. 

Source of our Blank Canvas Sauvignon Blanc and Abstract Sauvignon Blanc, the Holdaway Family has held land in Dillons Point for generations. In 1842 James Holdaway arrived in New Zealand, and in 1864 he purchased land on the Lower Wairau plains which he called Lowlands.  This is the same property on which his descendants now grow grapes.

Soils and Climate: The soil type in this vineyard are very young, alluvial silts on top of sand. The silts are full of salts and add a mineral and salty complexity to the palate. In addition, the high level of nutrients in the soil provide for high volatile thiol levels which are expressed as passion fruit, blackcurrant and grapefruit flavours. The proximity to the ocean makes for cooler nights in summer and therefore a fresh backbone of acidity and powerful, lifted aromatics.

Vineyard: We machine harvest the fruit for the Blank Canvas Sauvignon Blanc and hand-pick the fruit for the Blank Canvas Abstract Sauvignon Blanc. The latter block is dry-farmed.

Grower Philosophy: The Holdaways are involved intimately with their land. Rather than being certified organic or biodynamic, the family are deeply committed to the idea of regenerative viticulture which holds as a key tenet the sustainability of the land and its longevity for further generations. They make their own compost to keep the soil lively and healthy, have several unirrigated blocks (quite unusual in Marlborough), are currently trialling a 100% biological programme which negates the need for any fungicides (both organic and chemical) and are always looking at ways to improve vine and soil health.

Check out their sustainability pursuits in detail here.