2022 Skyleaf Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 750 ml

Sur Lucero, our Master Sommelier, is responsible for bringing our members Tinpot Hut and Cirro—two of the best-selling and most-beloved Sauvignon Blancs in our history.

So when he brought in a bottle of the 2022 Skyleaf for us to try, we knew we had to lock down an allocation for our members. This is the debut vintage for the winery, which boasts some of the most impressive vineyard sources we’ve seen for an under-$30 Kiwi bottle. 

When you talk to local experts about New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, the name Rapaura comes up a lot. It’s a subregion of the Wairau Valley, known for stony, well-draining soils and a warm, moderate climate that suit Sauvignon Blanc perfectly. That’s where some of Kiwi icon Cloudy Bay’s top grapes come from—and Skyleaf sources grapes from right next to that site.

The other area that Skyleaf gets grapes from is Fairhall, the prized subregion in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys. The area that star producer Dog Point calls home, its climate is cooler and drier than Wairau, which brings a zesty edge and intense verve to the wines. This one was fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel for brightness and purity of fruit.

This wine is squeaky clean on the nose—super-vibrant, with bold citrus aromas that overlay on top of tropical mango and star fruit. We were all impressed at how fresh and alive the palate is, combining brightness and flavor without being overly intense. It’s a perfect pairing for all sorts of food, and a brilliant bottle to enjoy on the porch.