The Wairau River - lifeblood of the Marlborough regionstarts in the Southern Alps flowing 170kms (110 miles) down the Wairau Valley to the Pacific Ocean.
THE ROSE FAMILY
The Rose family
Wairau River is named after the braided Marlborough river, where Phil & Chris Rose planted their first grapes back in 1978.
Rose family roots sink deep into the stoney soils of Marlborough, into lands that have been farmed by our family since 1858. In the 1970s, Phil & Chris Rose overcame strong and prolonged opposition to eventually obtain consent to plant their first grapevines along the banks of the Wairau River in 1978. Their determination that viticulture could be a successful industry for Marlborough became pivotal in changing the course of the Marlborough region’s wine history.
What started as an agricultural operation and crop farming has become one of the most dynamic and innovative wineries in Marlborough. Today, wines made entirely from this familyowned and run estate continue to set the standard for New Zealand wines of exceptional quality.
Family is at the heart of Wairau River, both literally and encompassing the wider team. Several of Phil & Chris Rose’s adult children (and their partners) are at the helm of Wairau River today.
The depth of experience and knowledge is spread across the whole business with key Sales, Winemaking and Vitculture roles held for 15 years and more. The team spirit throughout the company comes from strong shared values and sense of belonging.
Chief winemaker, Nick Entwistle sums this up by saying “it’s something very special to have everyone involved and so engaged with what we’re trying to achieve as a team”.
The edge of the river is a special place, where soil, climate and terrain combine to produce outstanding wines.
Left to right: Hamish Rose, Nick Entwistle, Sam Rose and Phil Rose.
VITICULTURE AND WINEMAKING
To ensure supply and efficiency, the Rose Family have strategically increased their vineyard holdings to more than 500 hectares. Focusing on the northern side of the Wairau Valley which provides stylistic integrity.
The winery, built in 2002 can crush up to 10,000 tons of fruit and is sited at the Rapaura vineyard, central to the estate. Fruit is able to be transported from vineyard to winery within 30 minutes. The short time between picking and processing maximises flavor concentration, freshness and quality.
Viticulturalist Hamish Rose and brother, Winemaker Sam Rose share a lifetime of experience in these vineyards, drawing on it every vintage. Each of the 14 vineyard sites have distinct flavor profiles that allow the winemaking team lead by Nick Entwistle, to create the elegant, beautifully balanced wines Wairau River is known for – year on year.
Beginning with the first vintage in 1991, Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc has won best Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for multiple vintages, including 2024. Alongside the multi-award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, Wairau River is renowned for exceptional Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
70% of New Zealand’s vineyard area
NEW ZEALAND
Home Block
Angler
Kaituna
Mahers
Riverlore
Crusher
Pak Lim
Rapaura
Burnside
Grovetown
Longbend
Cravens
Hillocks
Spring creek
Auckland Wellington
Marlborough
Christchurch
Wairau
VINEYARDS
Our river graphic is not one, but three different depictions of the topography of the braided Wairau River.
Each varietal uses all three illustrations echoing the river’s ever-changing path.
OUR LABEL AND MAKERS’ MARK KEY GRAPHIC
different depictionsOurkeyrivergraphicisnotone,ofthemightyWairau Eachvarietalincludesallthreeillustrations Thiswhich echo theriver’sever-changinguniqueapproachcreatesaninteresting discovery forconsumers.
GRAPHIC one,butthree ever-changingillustrationsWairauRiver. path. interesting
estateThenewsuiteof illustratelabelsthat thethreerivergraphics.
The Rose Family Estate proudly stands behind the Wairau River wine brand.
Our Makers’ Mark crest symbolizes the Rose family’s unwavering commitment to quality, craftsmanship and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Mary Schneier, winemaker
The edge of the Wairau River is a special place for growing grapes and where Rose family roots run deep. Our wines capture the true character of the land and each varietal, creating wines that are elegant, distinctive and consistently true to style, year after year.
WHITE & ROSÉ
Sauvignon Blanc
Intense lifted notes of ripe tropical fruits and citrus on the nose. Refined and elegant, displaying a finely textured palate with flavors of guava and stone fruit. Wonderfully expressive with a fresh, dry finish.
Alc 13% RS 3 g/L
Pinot Gris
Baked spiced pears and subtle white floral aromatics on the nose, combined with a palate that is weighty and textural with notes of candied lime and stone fruit. Off-dry, the palate is perfectly balanced with natural residual sweetness and fine mineral acidity
Alc 13% RS 5 g/L
ESTATE WINES
Summer Riesling
Single vineyard - Rapaura
An off dry Riesling displaying bright floral aromatics on the nose, paired with notes of golden apple and citrus. The palate is refreshingly crisp, with intense flavors of white peach and lemon sorbet balanced by fine mineral acidity and a touch of residual sweetness.
Alc 9.5% RS 34 g/L
Chardonnay
Pure fruit aromas of nectarine and citrus, complemented by delicate floral and savoury notes. Generous on the palate with a delicious dollop of peaches and cream and finely integrated French oak
Alc 13% RS 1 g/L
Rosé
Floral aromatics intermingle with strawberry and raspberry notes on the nose. The palate is finely balanced, with mineral acidity providing length and a complex briny character that supports the fresh stone fruit, strawberry and citrus flavors. Finishing with a hint of residual sweetness.
Alc 12.5% RS 5 g/L
RED
Pinot Noir
Concentrated raspberry and red cherry notes are supported by rich savoury complexity. The palate is soft and generous, with notes of wild berries and bramble framed by subtle elegant tannins providing structure and depth.
Alc 13% RS Dry
ESTATE WINES
Stainless steel tanks and oak barrels in the cellar at Rose Family Estate winery
For our Reserve range, small parcels of exceptional fruit from Rapaura’s oldest vineyards are selected for their ability to perfectly translate the story of our history and unique terroir. The Reserve range highlights our winemakers’ skills and passion.
WHITE AND ROSÉ
Sauvignon Blanc
Single Vineyard - Home Block
From our oldest Sauvignon Blanc block, this is a wine that tempers intense fruit concentration with finesse, elegance and restraint. Characteristic tropical fruits and citrus combine with more subtle dried herb and floral notes, the palate is refined and balanced with mineral acidity.
Alc 12.5% RS 1 g/L
Chardonnay
Handpicked fruit was gently pressed into French oak, fermented spontaneously and aged for 11 months. Aromas of ripe stone fruit, flint and citrus zest integrate with bold flavors of vanilla and brioche. The palate is powerful yet elegant expressing the excellent fruit weight balanced by fine acidity.
Alc 13% RS 1 g/L
RESERVE WINES
Viognier
Single vineyard - Angler
Displaying intense aromas of lime, apricots and marmalade. The palate is rich and full, with powerful fruit weight balanced by fine mineral acidity, resulting in a wine with refined texture and a lingering finish.
Alc 13.5% RS 1 g/L
Albariño
Single vineyard - Angler
Elegant citrus blossom aromatics combine seamlessly with notes of green apple, grapefruit and white peach. The palate is vibrant and refreshing, with mid palate fruit weight and a saline texture providing structure and length in combination with fine mineral acidity
Alc 13.5% RS 9 g/L
Grüner Veltliner
Single vineyard - Angler
A beguiling nose of ripe stone fruits combined with layers of citrus and exotic spice. The palate is plush and textural, with fine mineral acidity providing focus and length resulting in a wine of great texture and poise.
Alc 13.5% RS 2 g/L
Gewürtztraminer
Single vineyard - Rapaura
Vibrant perfumed nose of elderflower, rose petal and lychee. The palate is layered and complex, with notes of gingerbread and candied mandarin zest and delicate spice creating a silky mouthfeel and resulting in a lingering finish.
Alc 12.5% RS 10 g/L
Rosé
Seductive peach Color with subtle notes of nectarine blossom, pink grapefruit and wet stone. The palate is elegant and complex, with textural elements supporting the fine mineral acidity, resulting in a dry finish with incredible length and persistence
Alc 12 % RS 3 g/L
DESSERT
Botrytised Riesling
Single vineyard - Rapaura
Intensely concentrated luscious flavors stack the palate of this wine. The botrytis concentration is classic, defined by a honeyed toastiness that mingles with the fruit derived marmalade and dried apricot characters.
Alc 10% RS 219 g/L
RESERVE WINES
RED
Pinot Noir
Single vineyard - Home Block
Dense fruit concentration with notes of black-berry, dark plum and bramble on the nose. The palate is beautifully structured with rich fruit concentration and fine ripe tannins, supported by subtle oak influences.
Alc 13% RS Dry
Syrah
Single vineyard - Angler
Deeply Colored with notes of concentrated black fruits, violet, leather and sweet baking spices on the nose. The palate is reach and complex, with elegant refined tannins and a long finish.
Alc 13% RS Dry
Central to our commitments are the Environment, Social responsibility and Ethical governance.
ENVIRONMENT
FROM LAND TO TABLE Water/ Climate Change & Energy/ Packaging &Plastic
GROWN WITH CONSCIENCE Plant & Soil/ Ethical Procurement
GOVERNANCE
LEADING WITH TRANSPARENCY Open Communication
SOCIAL
GROUNDED IN FAMILY Our people & Community
Glass bottles, with packaging and transport, represent a whopping 68% of a typical wine producer’s carbon emissions. For over 15 years we have used the lightest available NZ made glass. At 416gms vs an industry average of 550gm - there’s a 25% reduction in weight and significantly decreases our carbon emissions.
15,000 + riparian plants and trees have been planted along our river boundaries and waterways. This is an ongoing project, where we increase the area each year and includes restoration of a wetland at our Hillock’s Road vineyard. Riparian planting allows natural filtering of run off water, provides habitat for endemic species of birds, insects and water life,re-mediating and supporting the ecosystems.
Launched in 1995, SWNZ is widely recognized as a world-leading sustainability program and was one of the first to be established in the wine world. We have been accredited since inception and display the logo on our labels.
100% of our electric energy comes from renewable sources. Including solar, geothermal, hydro and wind.
Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc continues to impress and grow in popularity and we’re honored to be recognized as an Impact Hot Prospect in 2022 and 2023.
The criteria for this prestigious award is as follows: depletions of at least 50,000, but not over 200,000 in 2023, at least 15% depletions’ growth in 2023, and consistent growth in 2021 and 2022.
Proud partners for more than 30 years
