24-Jul-2017
Phil and Chris Rose first planted vines in the Wairau River in 1978, putting them in the pioneers of the Marlborough winegrowing industry. Much of their enviable mature fruit resource comes from their significant plantings in 1992. Nowadays their company, Wairau River Wines has around 285 ha of estate vines in 9 different sites. They are one of Marlborough’s largest family owned winegrowing businesses with an excellent cellar door and restaurant facility at the start of Rapaura Road near the junction of S.H. 6, and a well-equipped winery further along Rapaura Road. The second generation and extended family are fully involved in the business, and make classical Lower Wairau expressions under their ‘Estate’ and ‘Reserve’ ranges. 2017 was a challenging year for ripeness for those with crops for commercial wines, but growers of estate fruit for quality wines, such as the Rose family, fared considerably better, if not well. Here, I review the 2017 Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. www.wairauriverwines.com
