Eaton Family Wines, Flaxbourne Sauvignon Blanc 2019

The Flaxbourne Sauvignon Blanc 2018 is made from grapes from the Thistle Hill and Breezemere vineyards. Thistle Hill is a beautiful north-facing vineyard in the Flaxbourne region. Soils is composed of 100mm loam over tightly bound clays and ancient seabed. The subsoils are mineral rich and complex. Breezemere is a gentle north facing vineyard with 100 to 125mm loamy topsoil over tightly clay-bound river stones.

The hand-picked grapes are pressed in a basket press, 40% with skin contact and 30% whole bunch. The must was settled overnight before transfer to barrel for a wild, natural fermentation. No enzyms, SO2 or industrial yeasts were added.

After fermentation the wine was aged in 600-liter demi muids and 225-liter barrels. The wine in all vessels underwent malolactic conversion. The lees were stirred occasionally. After blending the different barrels a little SO2 was added and subsequently the wine was left to settle for more than four months. No fining or filtration took place before bottling.

Eaton Wines was established in 2014 after thefamilies departure from the TerraVin brand which they had established in 1999.

Mikes involvement in the New Zealand wine industry goes right back to 1981 when Marlborough was just beginning its surge onto the international wines scene. Along with his wife Jo, Mike established some of New Zealand’s most renowned Pinot Noir vineyards (Clayvin, Clay Hills, Outpost, Calrossie) and the TerraVin wine brand.

Consulting to over 1500ha Mike manages the nutrition and disease programs for premium growers throughout Marlborough and Nelson. From among these growers, Mike selects small parcels from exceptional sites and makes wines in small batches to best reflect their unique characteristics. These selected areas are hand-tended by Mike and his two sons Harrison and Blake.