The 2023 Awatere Sauvignon Blanc from Spoke Wines is a striking expression of coastal Marlborough, shaped by the cooler, wind-kissed climate of the Awatere Valley. Spoke is the visionary collaboration between Liam Steevenson MW and Marlborough winemaker Ben Glover, whose decades of experience in the region are channelled into site-focused, expressive wines that reflect both land and hand.

This wine is sourced from the family’s vineyard along the Opawa River, where 14 hectares of vines, including Sauvignon Blanc, grow in fertile loam on north-facing slopes at 120 metres elevation, just under two miles from the sea. The coastal influence and prevailing breezes create a distinct microclimate, cooler than the rest of Marlborough, lending the wines their signature saline edge, lifted aromatics, and refined texture.

In the glass, the 2023 Awatere Sauvignon Blanc is bright and enticing. Aromas of white peach, gooseberry, and citrus leap forward, with layers of mineral tension and a sherbet-like vibrancy adding depth and dimension. The palate is taut and elegant, favouring precision over exuberance, with a chalky, saline finish that reflects the vineyard’s maritime proximity.  This is not your typical tropical style Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. It is more restrained, more European in style.