Rabbit Island Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2025 | Special Case Offer

90 Points (4.5 Stars) - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, March 2026

Vineyard: Seifried Brightwater and Rabbit Island vineyards
Date of Harvest: Late March 2025
pH of Wine: 3.16
T.A of Wine: 7.2g/L
Residual Sugar of Wine: 3.4g/L
Alcohol: 12.5%
Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans: Yes

Our Brightwater vineyard lies about 15km from the coast and is nestled under the Richmond Ranges on the southern end of the Waimea Plains. The soil is a combination of rocks and river boulders, which is hard on farm equipment but vital for holding the warmth of Nelson’s sun and ripening grapes. Low nutrient and water levels in the vineyard help to restrict plant vigour, producing fruit with lively, concentrated flavour.

Our Rabbit Island vineyard is situated on a wide river flat, about 1.5km from the sea, which helps moderate temperatures. The soil is gravelly sandy loam, which marks the sites of Māori kūmara (sweet potato) beds prior to European settlement in the early 1800s.

In the vineyards, leaves were removed around the fruiting zone to allow light penetration and air movement around the ripening bunches. This careful canopy management during the growing season meant our fruit was harvested early and in a good healthy condition.

Parcels of fruit were picked when flavours, sugars and grape acids were nicely in balance, giving fruit with intensity varietal flavours and a fresh, lasting acidity.