{"title":"Lawson's Dry Hills","description":"\u003cp\u003eLAWSON'S DRY HILLS Wines of Marlborough - The Story\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"As New Zealand’s most sustainably certified wine company, Lawson’s Dry Hills takes pride in its people, honours the land, and prioritises care of the planet. A Certified B Corporation and net carbonzero (ISO 14064), our certified sustainable wines (ISO 14001) are estate-grown, made and bottled.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA relaxed bunch, our small team of 18 take making wine seriously. So much so we do everything ourselves, from growing and nurturing the vines, to harvesting the grapes, making the wines and bottling on site in our own winery.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe original company vineyard was planted in 1982 by founders Ross and Barbara Lawson, who launched the Lawson’s Dry Hills label ten years later, in 1992. Today, the company exports to 20 markets and the range of wines includes various styles of Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and our famous Gewürztraminer, all made from fruit grown in the Wairau, Waihōpai, Omaka and Awatere Valleys.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThese different regions and carefully selected vineyard sites provide varying characteristics derived from the different soils and microclimates, giving many options when it comes to blending to that much-anticipated Lawson’s style. Each of the resulting wines offers an authentic expression of the grape variety and the place it is grown.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"lawsons-estate-dry-hills-sauvignon-blanc","title":"Lawson's Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Lawson's Dry Hill's Estate Sauvignon Blanc is aromatic, fresh and crisp with succulent ripe, fruit flavours balanced by a refreshing yet gentle acidity. Passionfruit, honeysuckle, lemon curd and red capsicum aromatics leap from the glass while the palate has concentrated citrus and tropical characters with underlying fresh, herbaceous tones. Well-balanced with lovely structure and length.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100% Sauvignon Blanc\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e2025 - 13% abv\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVegan \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2025 season offered good flowering and a warm, dry summer, meaning the harvest could take place at optimal ripeness. This wine is a blend from three distinct blocks: one in the Awatere Valley and two in the Wairau Valley\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grapes were gently pressed and most of the juice fermented in stainless steel tanks using selected, cultured yeast. A small amount (5%) underwent wild fermentation in old French barriques, adding complexity, texture and softening the overall acidity to\u003cbr\u003ecreate an expressive and enjoyable Sauvignon Blanc\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFood Match: Seafood, shellfish, salads, feta, goat cheese, fresh herbs, Vietnamese-style dishes, garlic prawns, light Thai dishes or enjoy just as a refreshing glass of expressive, stylish Sauvignon Blanc! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLAWSON'S DRY HILLS\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original company vineyard was planted in 1982 by Ross and Barbara Lawson, who launched the Lawson’s Dry Hills label some ten years later, in 1992. Today, the company’s wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and their famous Gewürztraminer, all made from fruit grown in the Wairau, Waihopai, Omaka and Awatere Valleys. These different regions and carefully selected vineyard sites provide varying characteristics derived from the different soils and microclimates, giving many options when it comes to blending.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWairau Valley: Defined by its proximity to the 170 km-long Wairau River running from the mountains to the ocean, it offers cooler, drier, barren and stony sites with pockets of clay. Wines from our Wairau sites give us tropical, passionfruit and citrus components together with a succulent, juicy character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSouthern Valleys: Originating from glacial outwash, these predominantly loam soils are moderately stony over clay deposits, resulting in low vine vigour. The wines are of greater concentration and depth of flavour, enhanced by the greater range of temperatures resulting in the grapes able to stay on the vines for longer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAwatere Valley: The silty loam, river terrace soils are free-draining, glacial gravel and wind-borne loess over shallow, stony clay. Diverse stone materials contribute to the mineral tones in the wines while the lack of underground water limits vigour and yield, resulting in ripe, intense fruit characters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSUSTAINABILITY: Lawson's Dry Hills is a carbonzero certified winery and currently the only New Zealand wine producer to hold both ISO14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO14064 (carbonzero) accreditations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSENIOR WINEMAKER: Marcus Wright\u003cbr\u003eMarcus’s love of good wine came from friends passionate about NZ’s Wine Options competition. He joined them for various tastings and then competed as part of the team. In 1997 he worked with Montana as a cellar hand during vintage and then as their Cellarmaster. He then headed to South America to work the 2000 vintage in Chile for Vina San Pedro, in the Central Valley. Next was the Loire Valley, France for vintage with the highly-respected Jacques Lurton, making white wines including Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Marcus started with Lawson’s Dry Hills in 2001 and continues to enjoy producing a number of wine styles from the company’s vineyards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTHE FOUNDERS: Ross and Barbara Lawson\u003cbr\u003eThe original company vineyard was planted on Blenheim’s Alabama Road in 1982 by Ross and Barbara Lawson. At this stage they sold the fruit to other producers, before launching their own label, Lawson’s Dry Hills, in 1992. Ross wore many hats during his lifetime: musterer, sheep-shearer, swimming pool\/building contractor, opossum hunter, union organiser and of course viticulturist. He was a leading influence in the New Zealand Screwcap Wineseal Initiative in 2001, which saw screwcaps used on 90% of New Zealand bottled wine by 2008. These diverse skills together with a never-ceasing quest for perfection helped shape Lawson’s Dry Hills into the successful wine company it is today. Sadly Ross passed away after losing his battle with cancer in early 2009. Barbara was a theatre nurse at Wairau Hospital and for many years managed the marketing and promotion of the company and its wines alongside her ‘day job’. She has always been an enthusiastic ambassador for the company, travelling far and wide. Her favourite two markets were always Ireland, where she loved the legendary hospitality, and Rarotonga where she has a house and spends much of her time. There’s barely a bar or restaurant on the island without Lawson’s Dry Hills!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOWNERS: Tim and Pauline Evill\u003cbr\u003eTim has always spent as much time as possible in New Zealand, in 1995 he and his wife Pauline bought the Public Trust building in Blenheim and created the Hotel d’Urville. Here he met Ross Lawson and together they began buying vineyards around Marlborough. After so many years in partnership with Ross and Barbara, it seemed only natural for Tim and Pauline to eventually buy the Lawson family shares when Barbara chose to retire.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lawson's Dry Hills","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48781663404331,"sku":"","price":14.65,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/0066\/9016\/files\/Lawsons_Est_Sauvignon_2025.jpg?v=1773331978"},{"product_id":"lawsons-dry-hills-reserve-pinot-noir","title":"Lawson's Dry Hills Reserve Pinot Noir 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe warm, dry summer and harvest resulted in small crops and small berries with intense flavours. Red berry and black cherry aromas combine with smoky vanilla, oaky notes and a hint of spice. The palate is round and generous with lovely bright berry, cherry flavours and a touch of gentle, sweet vanilla. This wine has lovely weight and length, offering a delicious balance of power and elegance. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100% Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e2023 - 14%\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVEGAN\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyards and viticulture:\u003c\/strong\u003e This wine is sourced from two Waihopai Valley vineyards and the Tilly’s Block. These are both within the Southern valleys subregion where clay soils and low rainfall produce excellent Pinot. The vines are cropped at low levels, requiring careful pruning, canopy management and fruit-thinning. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaking:\u003c\/strong\u003e The fruit was harvested into open-top fermenters for a three-to-six-day cold maceration before the warm, alcoholic fermentation. The cap of skins that forms on top was punched down by hand, three times a day, to encourage optimum flavour and colour. The wine was then left on skins for between seven and 14-days post ferment, before pressing to a mixture of French oak barriques (224 litres) and puncheons (500 litres) of which 25% were new. After ten months maturation, the best clones and barrels were selected for this wine. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“An understated complexity and power with a core of ripe red berry fruits and barrel spice layers. Delicious, fresh, and youthful on the palate with salivating textures and core ripe fruit flavours that reflect the bouquet. Spiced red plums and cherry, moments of raspberry, and saline flinty ideas. Well-made with polished tannins and a decent acid line, and excellent use of French oak. Best drinking from 2025 through 2030+.” \u003c\/em\u003eCameron Douglas Review – 95 points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Match:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft and supple, this wine is lovely with red meat, as well as full flavoured chicken and pork dishes and game. Ideal with chargrilled foods, roasted vegetables and any earthy flavours such as beans and lentils. Loves toasted spices such as cumin, star anise, paprika and herbs like oregano, thyme and sage. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lawson's Dry Hills","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48781681426731,"sku":"","price":19.4,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/0066\/9016\/files\/Lawsons_Pinot_Noir_2023.jpg?v=1768832806"},{"product_id":"lawsons-dry-hills-reserve-chardonnay","title":"Lawson's Dry Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis wine offers enticing aromas of lemon and peach with a light smokiness. Lovely concentration of fruit is enhanced by the French oak characters of vanilla and the extended lees contact adds toasted brioche and savoury flavours to the palate. An rich, full-flavoured wine beautifully balanced by a fresh acidity.\u003cbr\u003e100% Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003eVegan \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e2023 - 14% abv\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the coastal vineyard where the sea breezes moderate temperatures, this block is situated on the banks of the Wairau Diversion. The silts and river stones, combined with 17 – 21-year-old Mendoza clone vines, are the perfect match. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grapes are hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed and the juice settled briefly before being racked to French oak barrels (22% new). The juice was fermented ‘wild’ and encouraged to undergo full malolactic fermentation. The wine was racked from barrel and blended prior to being bottled here at the winery some ten months later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFood Pairing: Seafood, terrines and pates, risotto, chicken, pork and char-grilled foods, roasted vegetables, dishes with creamy or buttery sauces, pumpkin and other sweet vegetables.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lawson's Dry Hills","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48781690962219,"sku":"","price":18.15,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/0066\/9016\/files\/Lawsons_Chardonnay_2023.jpg?v=1768832874"},{"product_id":"mount-vernon-sauvignon-blanc-lawsons-hills","title":"Mount Vernon Sauvignon Blanc 2025 Lawson's Dry Hills","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a wonderfully aromatic Sauvignon Blanc with flavours ranging from ripe and tropical through to herbaceous and grassy. The palate is bright and fruity with a lovely, juicy concentration and gentle finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e2025 - 12.5% ABV\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVegan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRising 422 metres, Mt Vernon is one of the peaks towering above Marlborough in the Wither Hills, just behind the winery at Lawson’s Dry Hills. Named after this local landmark, the wines under this label are accessible, approachable and rewarding with a focus on fruit purity.\u003cbr\u003eThe Sauvignon Blanc comes from a selection of vineyards across Marlborough, each bringing its own special character and together they combine to produce something special. Each block was picked individually and after gentle pressing, was then fermented separately with yeast selected to enhance the wine’s fruity character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFood Match:  Perfect as a refreshing glass of wine on its own, or enjoy with seafood, salads, vegetarian dishes, Asian-inspired cuisine or  as a contrast to soft cheeses.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lawson's Dry Hills","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48781929808171,"sku":"","price":13.1,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/0066\/9016\/files\/Mt_Vernon_SB_2025.jpg?v=1777289132"},{"product_id":"lawsons-dry-hills-riesling","title":"Lawson's Dry Hills Riesling 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis wine has lifted lemon and floral aromatics with a touch of lanolin. The palate is dry and zesty with bright acidity, an elegant palate and a mouth-watering minerality. With its naturally high acidity, good quality Riesling with intense flavours such as this one, will age beautifully. Five years plus – no problem at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a single vineyard wine produced from a single pick from Lawson’s Waihopai block in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys. The decision to harvest is made when the fresher green apple flavours balance with citrus and the riper stonefruit characters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce picked in the cool of the early morning, the grapes are gently pressed with only the free-run juice being fermented to make this wine. The juice was inoculated and fermented at low temperatures (10-12C) to retain the natural bright fruit aromatics. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100% Riesling \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e2020 - 11.5% abv\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVegan friendly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFood Pairing: Easy to enjoy on its own, or to accompany seafood, creamy risottos and pasta dishes, fresh salmon, soft white cheeses and chicken.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAWARDS: New Zealand International Wine Show 2025 – Gold (96 points)\u003cbr\u003eNew Zealand International Wine Show 2024 – Silver (93 points)\u003cbr\u003eNew World Wine Awards 2024 – Silver (94 points)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lawson's Dry Hills","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49368166629675,"sku":"","price":13.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/0066\/9016\/files\/Lawsons_Riesling_2020.jpg?v=1768832943"},{"product_id":"lawsons-dry-hills-gewurztraminer","title":"Lawson's Dry Hills Gewurztraminer 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eClassic notes of lychee, cardamon, lemon and rose petals on the nose. The palate is round, rich and super concentrated with all the classic varietal flavours you’d expect. Just off-dry with the hint of sweetness beautifully balanced by a gentle acidity. A delicious and memorable wine!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100% Gewurztraminer\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e2024 - 14% abv\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVEGAN\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCameron Douglas Review – 92 points: \u003cem\u003e\"A classic bouquet of intensity and freshness, floral and fruit-centric with exotic scents of fresh apples and pears, white pepper and quince. There’s a whisper of ginger and white nectarine, then a minerality showing as stone. Just dry on the palate, with a silky texture, core fruit flavours of pomaceous fruits and white nectarine, plenty of exotic spices, and a definitive acid line with a saline flick on the finish. Delicious and ready to drink from day of purchase through 2028\"  \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyards and viticulture:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80% of the grapes were from the Lawon's home block and 20% from the Woodward vineyard just down the road. The vines are aged between 18 and 40 years old, growing on quite heavy, clay-based soils. The 2024 harvest was low yielding, and the dry season meant the grapes ripened perfectly and were picked in perfect condition and packed with flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaking:\u003c\/strong\u003e The grapes were harvested over two different picks – the first on the 14th of March and the second on the 27th. They were pressed very gently to avoid the harsh phenolics that can come from the skins. The free-run juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures with selected, cultured yeast while the pressings were fermented separately with wild yeast in old French oak barrels. After several months resting on the yeast lees post ferment, a little of the pressings were blended into the free run to provide some extra volume and complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairing: \u003c\/strong\u003eTry with flavours such as fresh ginger, clove, cinnamon, allspice, turmeric, madras curry, Sichuan pepper, sesame, almond, coriander, cumin, citrus, kaffir lime, lemongrass. Also good with soft cheeses, Moroccan flavours and chilli.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Lawson's Dry Hills","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49368284234027,"sku":"","price":14.65,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/0066\/9016\/files\/Lawsons_Gewurztraminer_2024.jpg?v=1770813284"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/0066\/9016\/collections\/Marlborough_Vineyards_AdobeStock_1352719478.jpg?v=1780580797","url":"https:\/\/www.christopherpiperwines.co.uk\/collections\/lawsons-dry-hills.oembed","provider":"Christopher Piper Wines Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}