Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Gris 2013

The Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Gris has been by far and away our biggest selling Pinot Gris ever since the 2006 vintage won the Trophy for Champion Pinot Gris at the 2006 Air New Zealand Wine Awards. The 2013 vintage is another lovely wine from this exceptional New Zealand winery. 

"Classic Pinot Gris on the palate - spicy and exotic, pristine pear and peach fruit abound, wonderful fresh acidity and a long, lingering finish. This is an elegant pinot gris with great finesse and subtlety; one for the purists."  Nick Munday

"This wine is a  blend from sites across a wide range of the Marlborough region. The blend centres on the north and south banks of the Awatere, with fruit from the Wairau Valley and Kekerengu Coast complementing the intensely aromatic Awatere core. When crafting my blend, I pay close attention to the fill-in and layering of the different flavour spectrums and aromas. I try to capture the sense of lovely poached pears, light stone fruit and bright red apple and follow through with a dry, mineral finish.

In New Zealand, the varietal is generally called pinot gris rather than pinot grigio and encompasses a wide range of residual sugar levels and styles. I am trying to produce a dry version of pinot gris that has a nod towards some of the more aromatic, finer examples of northern Italian, higher altitude pinot grigio as well as referencing a little the wines of Alsace, but it’s pretty much a Kiwi style — a Marlborough style."  Simon Waghorn, Winemaker

Expert reviews

"The wine has a beautiful nose, lightly floral and deliciously perfumed. Classic Pinot Gris on the palate - spicy and exotic, pristine pear and peach fruit abound, wonderful fresh acidity and a long, lingering finish. This is an elegant pinot gris with great finesse and subtlety; one for the purists."  Nick Munday, Canterbury Wines

"With a nose of poached pears, nutmeg, allspice and white peaches, plus a touch of honeysuckle, the medium-bodied 2013 Province Pinot Gris has mouth-filling apple and pear flavors supported by crisp acidity and pleasant viscosity throughout the long, spicy finish."  The Wine Advocate

The Vineyards

Awatere Valley

The Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Gris is a  blend from sites across a wide range of the Marlborough region. The blend centres on the north and south banks of the Awatere, with fruit from the Wairau Valley and Kekerengu Coast complementing the intensely aromatic Awatere core - refer to the map below.

"When crafting my blend, I pay close attention to the fill-in and layering of the different flavour spectrums and aromas. I try to capture the sense of lovely poached pears, light stone fruit and bright red apple and follow through with a dry, mineral finish."  Simon Waghorn

Marlborough sub-regions

About the winery

Founded in 1996 and named after the ship that in 1827 charted and explored the Marlborough Coast, Astrolabe wines were created by seasoned winemaker Simon Waghorn together with his wife Jane. Simon crafts a range of beautiful wines that express the purity and intensity of fruit flavours afforded by the climate and soils of the Marlborough region.

All grapes are sourced from ten families who live on their land and farm sustainably. These carefully chosen sites add complexity and completeness to the wines. Simon is fascinated by the distinctive qualities of the Marlborough sub-regions and in addition to the range of Marlborough Province wines, he also produces wines specific to the Awatere Valley and Kekerengu Coast sub-regions.

"I choose to live and work in Marlborough because I believe the grapes here are the best in the world. I use all my skills and experience to style wines with elegance and balance that capture the intensity and brightness of our fruit. The diverse terroir of Marlborough's sub-regions broadens my palette as a winemaker to craft complex and individual wines."  Simon Waghorn, Winemaker

Simon Waghorn talks about Astrolabe (click on image to play video)