At the eastern edge of the Wairau Valley, where the river plains meet the sea breeze, lies Holdaway Vineyard, a site steeped in history and rooted in legacy. The Holdaway family has farmed this land for generations, ever since James Holdaway arrived in New Zealand in 1842 and, in 1864, purchased the property he named Lowlands. Today, his descendants continue to cultivate the same land, now home to some of Marlborough’s most expressive Sauvignon Blanc.
This vineyard is the source of both our Blank Canvas Holdaway Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and the Blank Canvas Abstract | Three Rows Sauvignon Blanc—two distinct expressions of place, crafted from fruit grown with care, conviction, and a deep respect for the land.
Key Facts
Subregion: Dillons Point
Valley: Wairau Valley
Region: Marlborough
Grows: Sauvignon Blanc
Clone: MS
Planted: 2001
Rainfall: 600 mm / annum
Mean Annual GDD: 1250-1300
Soils: Deep alluvial silts
Elevation (m): 0-5 m
Growers: The Holdaway Family - Alan & Janette, Richard & Mary, Robbie & Laura
Viticulturist: Richard Holdaway
Soil & Climate
The soils here are young, deep alluvial silts layered over sand, and rich in salts and nutrients. These soils contribute a mineral complexity to the palate and support the vines’ ability to produce expressive and powerful passionfruit, blackcurrant, and pink guava aromatics. These vibrant aromatics and chalky, salty palate structure is a stylistic signature of this vineyard.
Proximity to the ocean brings cooler summer nights due to the prevailing easterly breeze, which preserves acidity and intensifies the aromatics. This unique combination of soil and climate delivers an unmistakable Sauvignon Blanc with both power and precision.
Grower Philosophy
The vineyard is a true family affair, managed by Alan & Janette, Richard & Mary, and Robbie & Laura Holdaway.
The Holdaways are deeply committed to regenerative viticulture, prioritizing soil health and long-term sustainability over certification labels. They make their own compost, farm the interrows, adopt a zero-till policy and are also trialling biological programmes that eliminates the need for any organic or synthetic sprays.
Their philosophy is simple but profound: care for the land, and it will care for the generations to come. It’s a belief that echoes through every vine, and into every glass.
