Deep in the Waihopai Valley, Bryan and Jan Johnson took the courage to establish 180 hectares of estate vineyards on land considered too hard, too dry and too unfertile for wine. Owned and operated by the Johnson Family , Spy Valley Wines is one of Marlborough’s few remaining 100% Kiwi family owned wine companies.
This pioneering spirit established one of New Zealand’s most successful family-run wineries. Founded in 1993- now exporting eight varietals to 35 countries. Today, Spy Valley’s commitment remains to the land and to the people who tend it, they nurture the soil and vine with a passion to cultivate the complexities in their wines.
Spy Valley owns and leases many Sauvignon Blanc vineyards in the Marlborough region. The main vineyards are located in the Wairau Valley and in the Waihopai Valley on “Johnson Estate.² The sites produce a range of flavors which vary from vintage to vintage.
All sauvignon blanc blocks for both Spy Valley and Satellite are grown to the same exacting viticultural standards. The grapes are harvested at optimum ripeness and fermented dry in the Spy Valley winery. Post ferment tank grading and blend trials are conducted with the Spy Valley blend being the premium selection based upon continuation of style.
All other wine, by default, becomes the Satellite blend. The satellite blend is typically a fruit forward style with emphasis on pink grapefruit with subtle herbal notes and a bit of tropical influence. One factor that sets this wine apart from its competitors is the structure gained from lower cropping vines that reach physiological ripeness before picking.
At this price point a lot of competing wines in the marketplace are coming off high cropping vines.They may show bright Marlborough aromatics up front, but have no substance to fruit structure in the end. Satellite develops beautifully over time, showing longevity and drinkability.
Marlborough is a land of abundance, right in the heart of New Zealand’s wine industry. This region is surrounded by the coastline, mountains, dry hills, alluvial plains and native forest, and provides an ideal cool and dry climate. The terraced vines enjoy both rocky riverside gravels and deeper clay and silt soils across the Spy Valley estate.
This pioneering spirit established one of New Zealand’s most successful family-run wineries. Founded in 1993- now exporting eight varietals to 35 countries. Today, Spy Valley’s commitment remains to the land and to the people who tend it, they nurture the soil and vine with a passion to cultivate the complexities in their wines.
Spy Valley owns and leases many Sauvignon Blanc vineyards in the Marlborough region. The main vineyards are located in the Wairau Valley and in the Waihopai Valley on “Johnson Estate.² The sites produce a range of flavors which vary from vintage to vintage.
All sauvignon blanc blocks for both Spy Valley and Satellite are grown to the same exacting viticultural standards. The grapes are harvested at optimum ripeness and fermented dry in the Spy Valley winery. Post ferment tank grading and blend trials are conducted with the Spy Valley blend being the premium selection based upon continuation of style.
All other wine, by default, becomes the Satellite blend. The satellite blend is typically a fruit forward style with emphasis on pink grapefruit with subtle herbal notes and a bit of tropical influence. One factor that sets this wine apart from its competitors is the structure gained from lower cropping vines that reach physiological ripeness before picking.
At this price point a lot of competing wines in the marketplace are coming off high cropping vines.They may show bright Marlborough aromatics up front, but have no substance to fruit structure in the end. Satellite develops beautifully over time, showing longevity and drinkability.
Marlborough is a land of abundance, right in the heart of New Zealand’s wine industry. This region is surrounded by the coastline, mountains, dry hills, alluvial plains and native forest, and provides an ideal cool and dry climate. The terraced vines enjoy both rocky riverside gravels and deeper clay and silt soils across the Spy Valley estate.
