Astrolabe Wines

Simon’s winemaking career began in South Australia and took him and his family from Te Kauwhata to Gisborne, eventually settling in Marlborough. In 1996, together with old friends Paul Davenport and Sally Lewis, Simon and his wife Jane decided to have a go at making wine under their own label… and so began Astrolabe.

Awatere Valley

The dry Awatere Valley has a more extreme climate than most of Marlborough, with strong winds, variable soils, greater temperature fluctuations and a later ripening season. Vines are planted from sea level to quite high altitude, and the scarceness of irrigation water is often limiting to vine growth. As a result the grape berry size is reduced and flavours can be more intense.

Kekerengu Coast

Down by the mild ocean spring breaks early, and the vines leaf out before the rest of Marlborough. Cool winds from the sea prolong the growing season, and the grapes are the last harvested in the province. The limestone in the soil, and the long growing season gives a unique savoury structure to the Sauvignon Blanc, and beautiful aromatic qualities in all varieties.

Wairau Valley

The Richmond Ranges to the northwest protect our largest valley from the wet winds off the Tasman Sea, and sunshine is high, temperatures mild, humidity low, and soils well-drained and moderately fertile. On the broad valley floor underground water is plentiful to ensure lush Sauvignon Blanc, but on the dry southern clay slopes the Pinot Noir has to battle for every drop...

Taihoa Vineyard

Our southernmost grapes are sourced from Paddy and Anna Trolove's Taihoa Vineyard, located on Marlborough's Kekerengu Coast. Tightly structured and intense, mineral Sauvignon Blanc is grown on the gravelly recent fans of the limestone Mole Hill. Elevated stream terraces allow for good air flow. Soils are free draining across both sites on the farm. One small portion of the original block, protected from the southerly winds, provides the fruit for the Vineyards Range Taihoa Sauvignon Blanc. Gravity fed spring water irrigation is also a unique trait at this site.