Alpine Rift - 2025 Vintage Report

Vintage 2025 Team

The 2025 vintage will be remembered for many things - in Marlborough, for the relative sense of calm, with long, sunny autumn days providing ideal ripening conditions and a welcome distraction to the tumult of global geopolitics.

An exceptionally mild spring set the stage for perfect flowering, which occurred two weeks earlier than normal, and led to a healthy fruit set across our vineyards. Initial estimates pointed towards higher than average yields, particularly for our Sauvignon Blanc blocks, necessitating some early intervention, dropping fruit and removing canes, to bring the vines back into balance.

Unseasonably warm weather prevailed through December before giving way to noticeably cooler temperatures throughout January and February, and while this put pay to plans for sunbathing at the beach, it was helpful in slowing down the sugar accumulation and extending the ripening period, with the longer hang-time laying the foundations for more aromatically intense fruit.

As we rolled into March and harvest drew nearer, we welcomed the return of a very warm and sunny ‘Indian Summer’ which lasted through to the end of the month. 

Harvest commenced on the 22nd of March with 1 ton of beautiful, biodynamic Chardonnay handpicked from the Wrekin Vineyard.  Successive picks followed over the next 10 days, drawing to a close on April 1st, just ahead of a forecast ‘atmospheric river’ event.  With the help of friends and family we harvested 1.2t of golden bunches of Sauvignon Blanc from Auntsfield Estate, happy and relieved to have the fruit safely in the winery ahead of the rain.

2025 was a season where diligent viticulture and favourable ripening conditions resulted in wines that are exhibiting excellent freshness and aromatic intensity.  We are delighted with the quality and the wines display the hallmarks of a classic Marlborough vintage.

1428 Growing Degree Days (Long Term Average 1263)

291mm Rainfall (Long Term Average 372mm)