Vibrant, Powerful and Authentic

Experience the exceptional journey of Peter, Jane, Sarah and Simon Clark in wine-making excellence

Family History

Peter and Jane Clark left their careers for a vineyard in New Zealand. Despite challenges, they planted in the Awatere Valley starting in 1998. They quickly flourished, achieved a Sustainable Wine Growing New Zealand accreditation and soon their son Simon became head winemaker and daughter Sarah joined in sales and marketing. Their Sauvignon Blanc, Clark Estate Riverside Terrace, is acclaimed worldwide, embodying their journey from soldier and nurse to vintners of renown.

Description and Tech info

Viticulture

The soils in the vineyard are very stoney with little loam. As a
result, the vines crop much lower yields and therefore ripen
flavors much earlier than the sugars can accumulate. These
wines will naturally have lower alcohol but with the full spec-
trum of intense flavors only the Upper Awatere can give.

Winemaking

Harvested in the cool of the evening, the grapes were gently
pressed, and the juice was fermented under very cool condi-
tions to retain the intensity of the flavors. Once dry, the wine
was left on lees to develop even more complex flavors.
We have created wines that are unencumbered by the effects
of higher alcohol. This wine is naturally low in alcohol at only 11.5%.

Wine Analysis

pH 3.21
TA 7.9 g/L
Alcohol 11.5%
RS 1.0 g/L

Appellation: Marlborough, New Zealand
Sub-Appellation: Upper Awatere Valley

Running from the coast to a triangle tip inland as it climbs the
Kaikoura Ranges and gains altitude, the Awatere Valley is clear-
ly the coolest, driest and windiest of the three major sub-
regions of Marlborough, with typically lower yields. Vineyards
of the Upper Awatere Valley produce a grassier Sauvignon
Blanc, often with tomato leaf and stony mineral characters.
Wines from this area can be quite concentrated, sometimes
with a Sancerre-like character.

This wine is pale yellow in color, with a pungent nose of sea breeze, wet stone, and freshly cut citrus fruit that really jumps out of the glass. It is a fruity, light-bodied and dry on the palate, with a refreshing minerality, intense flavors of lemon, and a hint of grassiness. Its strong backbone of acidity leads to a surprisingly lengthy, mouthwatering finish.