Winemaker

13 Celsius Sauvignon Blanc grapes are sourced from the Awatere and Wairau Valleys in Marlborough, New Zealand. The climate and terroir of these adjacent regions greatly and contribute to the complex character of this wine.

The sea’s cooling effects influence the Awatere Valley climate. Gravelly soils provide excellent drainage and stress the vine, producing concentrated fruit with a distinct herbaceous and grassy profile. To the west and inland is the Wairau Valley, where the dry climate and cold evening temperatures maintain the characteristic bright acidity of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with citrus and tropical fruit notes.

13 Celsius® wines are crafted with methodical attention to quality and precision. From pruning vines and selecting grapes at the pinnacle of ripeness, to rigorously maintaining temperatures during the winemaking process, our commitment is steeped in excellence. The iconic terroirs selected for our Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio provide elegant structure and vibrant texture that preserve the character of their exclusive regions.

Our wine labels become blue indicating the optimal tasting experience when chilled to 13° Celsius, the ideal temperature to enjoy white wine. This supports our promise and ensures impeccable taste in every glass.

The 2016 vintage produced more concentrated fruit due to the cooler flowering conditions followed by a hot, dry summer. The fruit was harvested using state of the art machine harvesters that selectively separate out any non-grape material resulting in very clean fruit delivered to the winery. Fruit parcels were assessed and those selected for 13 Celsius were fermented in small format stainless steel tanks. Minimal handling and interference retained the purity of fruit through to fermentation. Cooler ferments resulted in crisp, fresh wines with intense varietal characters.