Vineyards

Marlborough

While it has become a familiar name worldwide for Sauvignon Blanc, the region’s most planted grape variety, Marlborough is also renowned for its Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Riesling as the free-draining, alluvial loams over gravelly sub-soils in the Wairau, Waihopai and Awatere valleys provide ideal growing conditions.

For Babich Wines, Marlborough makes a heavy contribution to the company’s portfolio. Babich has invested in substantial vineyard land and in production facilities, as a 50% shareholder in the Rapaura Vintners enterprise.

Viticulturalist, John Sowman and his team manage all of Babich’s Marlborough vineyards totaling 166-hectares (410 acres).

Awatere Valley

The 42-hectare (104 acres) Wakefield Down Vineyard (pictured right) in the Awatere Valley is located on a spectacular terraced site above the Awatere River. This particularly free-draining vineyard planted exclusively with Sauvignon Blanc has a frost-free microclimate that is ideal for grape growing.

Waihopai Valley

In the Waihopai Valley, the colourfully named 66-hectare (163 acres) Cowslip Valley Vineyard lies on a gentle rise. Its deep gravelly soils are ideal for Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Noir.

Wairau Valley

The 29-hectare (72 acres) Headwaters Vineyard which was established in 2005 in the Wairau Valley has a lighter loam type soil and is planted predominantly in Sauvignon Blanc with trial plantings of Gruner Veltliner and Alvarinho. 5 hectares of this vineyard is certified Organic (Biogro).

Grapes sourced from the heavier soils of the 29-hectare (72 acres) Selmes Road Vineyard area are ideal for blending with fruit grown on lighter, gravelly soils.

 

In addition to its own vineyards, Babich Wines also buys quality Marlborough fruit from contract partners.