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Situated on the sunny southern side of Marlborough’s Wairau Valley, nestled on the terraces of the Omaka River are the vineyards of Johnson Estate.  Eight Varieties of grapes, over 360 acres producing premium quality fruit for Spy Valley Wines.  Our fertile, free draining stony soils result from successive flood events and glacial outwash deposits over the previous 10,000 years.  Marlborough enjoys more sunshine hours than any other region of New Zealand coupled with a young rich land we have perfect grape growing conditions.  This allows Marlborough to produce some of the best wines in the world. At Spy Valley, emphasis on viticultural excellence creates wines that capture the essence of the environment and are classically Marlborough.

Spy Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 – Sauvignon Blanc is grown in our Marlborough vineyard on stony riverbed terraces, gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks to give intense passionfruit and gooseberry fruit characters. The wine is fruit-driven in style, with complexity from lees ageing for several months in stainless steel tanks before bottling. This wine is a classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with intense flavours and crisp acid in a dry style.  89 Points Wine Spectator.

Spy Valley Marlborough Riesling 2008 - Riesling grapes are carefully selected from the best vines in our Marlborough vineyard, gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks to give intense floral and citrus characters. The wine is fruit-driven in style, elegant and delicate. The bouquet is typically intense fresh lime, green apple and floral aromas. The palate is vibrant and elegant with racy acid in a medium-dry style.  90 points Wine Spectator.

Spy Valley Marlborough Pinot Gris 2007 – Fruit was hand harvested in perfect condition and processed during the cool of early morning.  After picking and pressing the individual parcels were tank fermented at warm temperatures. At the end of fermentation the wines were aged on full fermentation lees for four months. Bouquet: Ripe pears and stewed apple with an underlying custard note.  Palate: The softness of structure is gently enhanced by the impression of ‘fatness’ giving the wine wonderful balance and length.

Spy Valley Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2007 – After picking and pressing the individual parcels were tank fermented at warm temperatures. At the end of fermentation the wines were racked off the yeast lees and aged for four months prior to blending and bottling.  Bouquet: Lifted aromatics in the rose petal/Turkish delight spectrum. The usual spice element is in the form of coriander/cinnamon this year.  Palate: The fragrant components flow through to give way to pure tastes on the palate. The finish is rich and well rounded with fruit sweetness.

Spy Valley Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 - Chardonnay is hand-harvested from a selection of clones in our Marlborough vineyard, whole-bunch pressed and barrel fermented in French oak barrels. The wine ages in oak for a year, with lees stirring, resulting in classic Marlborough Chardonnay with tropical fruit and citrus flavours, full-bodied but finely balanced and complex.

Spy Valley Envoy Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2006 – The fruit for Envoy is taken from a unique corner of one of our original Chardonnay blocks, ‘B Block.’ ‘B Block’ is home to five Burgundian clones of Chardonnay. The soil structure gives the best of both worlds – structure and fatness from the more complex top soil, and fruit definition from the free draining nature of the underlying gravel.   Clone B95 Chardonnay was hand picked, whole bunch pressed and barrel fermented with wild yeasts.  Aged for 18 months in oak on full lees.  Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Issue 176 – 90 Points.

Spy Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2007 – Four separate blocks within our vineyard were hand picked and gently crushed into 5 tonne ferment tanks. After a short period cold soaking fermentation started naturally with ‘wild’ vineyard yeasts. After this fermentation the wine was pressed off the skins then aged in oak barrels for 12 months. Colour: Medium red  Bouquet: Hints of perfume and flowers with rich plummy fruit, and a dark chocolatey background.  Palate: Generous weight, complex and challenging. Fine firm tannins and a supple, velvety finish.   The concentrated 2007 has enough structure to carry its substantial fruit. It’s a big wine…flavours are ripe and long lasting, with an Asian spice complexity.  92 points – Wine & Spirits, January 2009.

Spy Valley Envoy Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 – The fruit for Envoy Pinot Noir comes from our oldest vines, in the area we call ‘F Block.’ Clay top soil, free draining gravel substrate, cool spring, warm dry summers and extended ripening combine with root stock, clonal selection and vine age to produce small bunches with concentrated flavours.

Spy Valley Marlborough Merlot 2006 – Our Merlot block was hand harvested, gently crushed and soaked for five days prior to a ‘wild’ fermentation. After ferment the tank was left to macerate on skins for a further three weeks. Post pressing the young wine spent 14 months in barrel and was bottled with minimal filtration.  Bouquet: Mainly dark berry fruits and cassis.  Palate: A lively mixture of black currants, chocolate and spice. The palate has loads of sweet fruit and chunky tannins.