Sauvignon Blanc (2023)

About this wine

Dashwood 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is classic Marlborough, all about vivid aromatics and a brisk, mouthwatering finish. The nose jumps with guava, gooseberry, and grapefruit zest, then shifts into fresh cut herbs and a light floral lift. On the palate it stays focused and energetic, layering lime, passion fruit, and citrus peel over a clean, stony mineral note. It is dry and tangy, with a refreshing squeeze of acidity that keeps each sip feeling sharp and clear. The fruit comes from both the Wairau Valley and the windier Awatere Valley, a blend that often brings together ripe tropical character and a more herbal, mineral edge. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc like this helped put New Zealand on the global wine map in the late 1900s, and this bottle leans into that unmistakable regional signature without getting heavy.

About the grape

Sauvignon Blanc originated in western France, notably the Loire and Bordeaux regions, and is prized for its aromatic intensity and high natural acidity. It was introduced to Marlborough in the 1970s where the region s sunny days, cool nights and free draining soils helped the variety develop its now famous tropical and herbaceous character. For the Dashwood 2023 bottling the wine is 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc sourced from both the Wairau and Awatere valleys, with grapes pressed straight to stainless steel and fermented cool with selected yeasts to preserve pure fruit aromatics. Dashwood also highlights sustainable viticulture in these vineyards, using practices such as sheep for grass control and solar panels at the winery while following Sustainable Winegrowers New Zealand certification standards.

Quick facts

• 🗺️ The Dashwood name comes from Dashwood Pass which links Marlborough sub regions, the label celebrates local place identity.
• 🍇 The 2023 bottling blends fruit from both the Wairau Valley and the cooler Awatere Valley, giving a mix of tropical ripeness and zesty mineral lift.
• 🌱 Dashwood uses sugarcane based paper for some labels, reducing reliance on fossil fuel derived materials.
• ☀️ The winery runs over 50 solar panels and uses sheep in the vineyards to mow grass and naturally fertilize the vines.
• 🍋 Winemaking keeps ferments very cool and picks specific yeasts to amplify sauvignon blanc aromatics, so the wine smells like ripe guava and fresh lime.

Palate profile

Producer

Dashwood Wines was established in 1989 and takes its name from the Dashwood Pass that links Marlborough’s Wairau and Awatere valleys. The brand focuses on Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, sourcing fruit from sustainably farmed estate and trusted grower vineyards across the region. The winery emphasizes practical sustainability measures such as on site solar power, New Zealand sourced recycled glass bottles, and biodegradable sugarcane labels. Dashwood is crafted by a small dedicated winemaking team that aims to express the cool maritime character of Marlborough in a bright and textured style.