Seresin Marama Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Region and Vineyards

The Seresin Marama Sauvignon Blanc is crafted from a single block of Sauvignon Blanc from the Raupo Creek Vineyard in the Omaka Valley, Marlborough. This vineyard is farmed using biodynamic and organic principles, ensuring a sustainable and holistic approach to viticulture. The vineyard's north-west facing slopes benefit from high sunshine hours and minimal rainfall, allowing the grapes to ripen fully and develop concentrated flavors.

The clay-rich soils of Raupo Creek provide a natural richness and texture to the wine. Despite the challenges of this vintage, with heavy rains increasing berry and bunch sizes and heightening disease pressure, careful vineyard management ensured that the fruit was harvested in optimal conditions. The Seresin team worked diligently to mitigate the challenges and maintain the quality of the fruit.

Winemaking

The Seresin Marama Sauvignon Blanc was meticulously hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed. The free-run juice was settled before being racked into French oak barrels and puncheons, where it underwent wild fermentation. During its time in oak, the wine also went through malolactic fermentation, adding richness and texture.

The wine was aged for 14 months on lees, including 23% new French oak, which contributed to its complexity and structure. After the aging process, the individual components were blended and filtered prior to bottling. The result is a wine that is both fleshy and concentrated, with flinty and savory notes balancing the tropical fruit character.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale straw with a golden hue.
• Aroma: Aromas of tropical fruits such as pineapple and passionfruit, complemented by flinty and savoury notes from the extended lees contact and oak aging.
• Palate: The palate is rich and textured, with layers of tropical fruit flavors balanced by a savory, flinty minerality. The extended lees aging adds a creamy mouthfeel, while the oak imparts subtle spice and complexity. A firm acidity ensures a long and refreshing finish.
• Finish: Long, structured, and balanced, with tropical fruit lingering alongside the savory, flinty character.

Did You Know?

The name "Marama" means "light" in Māori, reflecting the estate’s connection to nature and the vineyard's biodynamic principles. This wine is made to showcase how Sauvignon Blanc can be crafted with a more nuanced, layered approach, going beyond the typical fresh and zesty style often associated with the variety.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled scallops with a lemon butter sauce: The richness of the wine complements the buttery sauce and balances the sweet flavors of the scallops.
• Roast chicken with herbs and garlic: The wine’s savory notes and acidity work beautifully with the roasted herbs and garlic.
• Goat cheese and fig tart: The wine’s acidity and tropical fruit notes balance the richness of the cheese and the sweetness of the figs.
• Mushroom risotto: The wine’s flinty and savory characteristics harmonize with the earthy umami of mushrooms.

History of Seresin Estate

Seresin Estate was founded in 1992 by Michael Seresin, a New Zealand-born cinematographer known for his work in films like Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. His vision for Seresin Estate was inspired by his deep connection to nature and a desire to create wines that were in harmony with the environment. From the outset, the estate embraced biodynamic and organic viticulture, pioneering these practices in the Marlborough region.

Seresin’s first vintage was released in 1996, and the estate quickly gained recognition for its elegant, expressive wines. Michael Seresin’s philosophy has always been to work with nature, not against it. The estate is now fully certified organic and follows biodynamic principles, farming without the use of synthetic chemicals and aligning vineyard work with lunar and natural cycles.

Michael Seresin’s passion for sustainability and craftsmanship is evident not only in the vineyards but also in the winemaking process, where minimal intervention allows the natural character of the grapes and terroir to shine through.

Region and Vineyards

Seresin Estate is located in Marlborough, the most famous wine region in New Zealand, known for producing world-class Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. The estate’s vineyards are situated in the Wairau Valley and the Omaka Valley, where a combination of clay and gravel soils provides an ideal environment for grape growing.

Raupo Creek Vineyard in the Omaka Valley is the heart of Seresin Estate. This vineyard is farmed biodynamically and is certified organic. The clay-rich soils here contribute to the texture and depth of Seresin’s wines. The north-west facing slopes of the vineyard ensure high levels of sunshine, allowing the grapes to ripen fully while maintaining natural acidity.

Seresin also sources fruit from selected organic vineyards in the Wairau Valley, which add brightness and finesse to the wines. The region’s cool-climate conditions and varied terroir allow Seresin to produce wines that are balanced, complex, and reflective of their place of origin.

Wine Range

Seresin Estate is best known for its Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, but the estate also produces other varietals, each crafted with the same attention to detail and commitment to natural winemaking.

• Sauvignon Blanc: Seresin’s Sauvignon Blancs are known for their richness, texture, and complexity, often blended with small amounts of Sémillon to add depth and aging potential. Wines like the Marama Sauvignon Blanc showcase a more nuanced, oak-aged style, while the estate’s classic Sauvignon Blanc offers vibrant acidity and tropical fruit.

• Pinot Noir: Seresin produces a range of Pinot Noirs, from the fresh and approachable Leah Pinot Noir to the more structured and complex Sun & Moon Pinot Noir. The estate’s Pinot Noirs are celebrated for their balance of red and dark fruit flavors, fine tannins, and earthy undertones.

• Chardonnay: Seresin’s Chardonnay is an elegant expression of the varietal, with a balance of ripe fruit, minerality, and subtle oak influence. The wine undergoes natural fermentation and extended lees aging for added complexity.

• Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and other varietals: Seresin also produces small quantities of aromatic whites, focusing on the purity of fruit and expression of Marlborough’s cool-climate terroir.

Did You Know?

Michael Seresin, in addition to being a successful filmmaker, is a passionate advocate for organic and biodynamic farming. His belief in working harmoniously with nature extends beyond winemaking, as the estate also grows olive oil and vegetables, further reinforcing the estate’s commitment to sustainability and holistic farming.