Rimapere Sauvignon Blanc 2022

In 2012, Benjamin de Rothschild purchased 24 hectares of outstanding 15 year old Sauvignon Blanc vines in Marlborough, ideally located in the prestigious area of the Wairau Valley on Rapaura Road. The site enjoys the renowned Marlborough climate and geology, consisting of alluvial soil made up of large river pebbles lying flush with the clayey ground.

The name of the property was a deliberate choice. Meaning ‘five arrows’ in Te Reo Māori and simultaneously honours the Rothschild family’s coat of arms (five arrows symbolising the five sons of dynasty founder Mayer Amschel Rothschild) and traditional New Zealand culture.

Rimapere has a sister vineyard – ‘Akarua’ in Central Otago – which is also part of Edmond de Rothschild Heritage. In total, the Group's vineyards span approximately 500 hectares, producing around 3.5 million bottles annually.

The grapes were hand-harvested in mid-March 2022, from Rimapere's vineyards situated on Rapaura Road in the Wairau Valley. The fruit was gently pressed, and the clarified juice underwent cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks to retain fresh fruit characteristics and aromatic intensity. Selected yeast strains were employed to enhance varietal expression and complexity. After fermentation, the wine was aged on fine lees, then gently fined and filtered before bottling.