Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay 2021

Region and Vineyards

The Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay 2021 originates from a carefully selected vineyard site located in the Southern Valleys subregion of Marlborough, nestled between two low-lying foothills. This flat and well-exposed site benefits from a warm daytime climate balanced by cool nights, enhancing diurnal temperature variation. These conditions allow for optimal ripening while retaining natural acidity, crucial for Chardonnay's aromatic purity and tension.

The soils here are clay-based alluvials, which retain water and promote steady vine growth. Due to the naturally vigorous nature of Chardonnay in this region, vineyard teams apply careful crop thinning and canopy management to maintain vine balance and achieve flavour concentration. This specific microclimate and soil profile contribute a distinct richness and structure to the wine, setting Twin Hills apart among Marlborough Chardonnays.

Winemaking

The winemaking process begins with partial hand-harvesting, followed by gentle whole-bunch pressing to preserve the vineyard's character. Fermentation took place entirely in French oak barrels, 33% of which were new, using carefully selected yeast strains to express fruit purity while allowing the wood to add complexity.

The wine underwent full malolactic fermentation, which softens acidity and contributes to the creamy mouthfeel. Aging continued for nine months on fine lees, with regular bâtonnage to build weight, texture, and depth. Only the finest barrels were chosen for the final blend, ensuring precision, balance, and elegance. The resulting wine shows 13% alcohol, 5.7 g/L total acidity, and a pH of 3.34—indicative of freshness with richness.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale straw
• Aroma: Preserved lemon, sweet oak, roasted almond and a hint of struck flint
• Palate: Full and rounded with flavours of ripe citrus, roasted hazelnut, and a subtle toasty oak note. The nine months on lees imparts a creamy texture and fine tannin framework

Did you know?

The "Pioneer Block" series from Saint Clair highlights micro-parcels with unique terroir signatures across Marlborough. Block 10, "Twin Hills", is named after the two distinct foothills flanking the vineyard. This focused single-block approach enables the estate to capture and showcase terroir-specific nuances in small-batch wines.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Seared chicken breast with pine nut and herb salad: Enhances the wine's creamy richness and complements its nutty notes.
• Linguine with lemon butter and scallops: Echoes the citrus core and elevates the wine's roundness.
• Grilled corn and ricotta ravioli with sage butter: Harmonizes with the toasted oak and almond character.
• Roasted cauliflower with tahini and lemon zest: A fine vegetarian match for the wine's leesy texture and preserved citrus aromatics.

History of Saint Clair

Saint Clair Family Estate was founded in 1994 by Neal and Judy Ibbotson, Marlborough viticulture pioneers who had been growing grapes in the region since 1978. Initially supplying fruit to other producers, they eventually decided to create their own label to craft wines that fully reflected the potential of their meticulously managed vineyards.

The estate was named "Saint Clair" after the original name given to the property by one of Marlborough's earliest European settlers. The winery quickly gained international acclaim, especially for its Sauvignon Blancs, and helped elevate Marlborough's global reputation in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Today, Saint Clair remains family-owned and operated, with Neal Ibbotson still actively involved. Winemaker Kyle Thompson, with over two decades of experience, leads the cellar, focusing on purity, precision, and site expression across all varieties.

Saint Clair was one of the first New Zealand wineries to adopt a parcel-specific vinification strategy, isolating distinct vineyard sites and bottling them individually under the "Pioneer Block" label. This philosophy of terroir differentiation has become a hallmark of the estate's style.

Region and Vineyards

Saint Clair's vineyard holdings and grower partnerships span across Marlborough's diverse subregions: the Wairau Valley, Awatere Valley, and Southern Valleys, with select sites in Hawke's Bay for Syrah and Bordeaux varieties.

In Marlborough, the estate's sites range from the cooler, wind-influenced Awatere Valley, known for crisp acidity and herbal notes, to the richer soils of the Southern Valleys, yielding concentration and depth. The Pioneer Block series showcases individual vineyard plots, chosen for their distinctive soil types, microclimates, and varietal expression.

All vineyard practices follow sustainable viticulture, and several blocks are certified under New Zealand's Sustainable Winegrowing programme. The combination of low yields, canopy precision and site specificity results in wines of both intensity and elegance.

Wine Range of Saint Clair

Saint Clair produces a wide portfolio of wines, structured into several quality tiers:

• Vicar's Choice: Fresh, fruit-driven wines offering excellent value, often early-drinking styles.
• Premium Range: Includes varietal classics from Marlborough with generous fruit and texture.
• Pioneer Block: Small-parcel, single-vineyard wines showcasing site specificity and regional nuance.
• Reserve Wines: Flagship bottlings, such as the Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir and Barrique Sauvignon Blanc, selected from the best barrels and blocks each vintage.
• Origin Series: Balanced, versatile wines made with precision and Marlborough typicity in mind.

Saint Clair is best known for its Sauvignon Blanc, but also excels with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Syrah and sparkling wines, all marked by purity and varietal clarity.

Did you know?

Saint Clair has earned more than 20 trophies and over 500 gold medals internationally, making it one of New Zealand's most awarded wineries. It was also among the first to plant and vinify Syrah in the Gimblett Gravels—a gravelly subregion of Hawke's Bay now considered a New World benchmark for Rhône-style reds.