Man O' War Gravestone Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2019

Man O’ War is located on the beautiful island of Waiheke, in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf in the Northern part of New Zealand. It’s a 4,500-acre farm owned by the Spencer family, with over 150-acres under vine, first planted in 1993. Today, there are no less than 75 separate vineyards across the farm.

The place is steeped in history, and the bay was a safe harbour for naval seafarers, who repaired their boats using timber from the local Kauri trees. Hence the name.

They have become well known for their Syrah, Chardonnay, and Waiheke’s signature Bordeaux blends. They also produce distinctly different Sauvignon Blanc, a seriously drinkable Pinot Gris, and a Rose which is a firm favourite at their beach front tasting room and cellar door.

The Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon vineyards are all dry farmed and low yielding and were hand-harvested, between 12th and 25th March, from a number of volcanic influenced hilltop sites. The Sauvignon Blanc was macerated and pressed to tank before the cloudy juice starts a spontaneous fermentation and was transferred to French oak puncheons, including the use small portion of Acacia wood, to ferment. The Semillon was gently pressed and clarified in tank before fermentation with a cultured yeast in old puncheons. Following fermentation the wines stayed on gross lees in Puncheon for 6 months before being blended to tank for bottling. Gravestone 2019 is a blend of 78% Sauvignon Blanc and 22% Semillon.