Sauvignon Blanc of The Year 2025
Decades in the making, and not a moment too late, we are honoured to receive the 2025 London Wine Competition award of Sauvignon Blanc of the Year on our 2024 Catalina Sounds Sauvignon Blanc. Up against heavy competition of wines from all over the world and an illustrious judging panel consisting of 9 Masters of Wine, 75 wine professionals and 6 Master Sommeliers, this is immense recognition!
At Catalina Sounds we have built our reputation for crafting nuanced, site-driven expressions of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Our winery is led by a small team that includes winemaker Matthew Ward and vineyard manager Fraser Brown.
“When we set out to make wines in 2005, establishing the winery and vineyard, we knew at our core that Sauvignon Blanc would be our hero, and it’s a defining moment on our journey to receive this award from the London Wine Competition” says Matt. Today, we produce three different Sauvignon Blancs, as well as a Pinot Gris, a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir across two ranges, the Estate range and the Single Vineyard range.
Adored at home in New Zealand, and on shores near and very far, our wines are always a pure expression of place, of our spectacular Marlborough wine region. Sourced from exclusive vineyards in the Southern Valleys and the Wairau Valley, and with a high portion of fruit from our Estate, the Sound of White Vineyard in the Waihopai Valley; these wines are distinct in every way, shape and form.
Pictured: Sound of White Vineyard, planted in 2008
About the wine
The 2024 vintage of Catalina Sounds Sauvignon Blanc is a true reflection of a unique Marlborough season, in fact the driest summer in 90 years. The year brought warm, dry weather and a rare late frost, which meant fewer grapes but exceptional quality. The harvest was the earliest and fastest in years, with pristine fruit and smaller bunches that excited Matt’s team in the winery. In the glass, this wine shines with pale straw and green hues, offering inviting aromas of ripe citrus peel, candy apple, and a hint of wet stone. The first sip is juicy and mouthwatering, with flavours of preserved lemon and stone fruits, all carried by a subtle, salty freshness and a lovely, lingering texture.
As Fraser notes, “this Sauvignon Blanc is crafted from grapes grown in the Waihopai Valley and select grower vineyards most of which we have worked with for more than 15 years”. What does that impart to the wine? Well, the Southern Valleys brings a mineral focus and extra texture, while the Wairau fruit adds classic citrus and gentle tropical notes. The winemaking approach is simple and careful, letting each vineyard’s character shine, with a small portion aged in large oak vessels for extra depth. The result is a vegan-friendly wine that’s vibrant, textured, and perfect for enjoying with fresh seafood, crisp green summer salads, or on its own by the pool. It’s a wine to enjoy now or over the next few years, especially when you want something fresh, lively, and distinctly Marlborough. As always, best served chilled and in our glass of choice, the Plumm Three No.2 Glass. Our wines are certified with Appellation Marlborough Wine and Sustainable Wine Growing New Zealand.
Pictured: Recreational use of the Catalina on the Marlborough Sounds in the 1940's
About the name
The name Catalina Sounds evolved from the majestic Catalina flying boats that played a vital role across the South Pacific during and after World War II. New Zealand’s famous and largest warbird, the Catalina is a rare sight, in fact there are only a handful of these beautiful, iconic planes left in the world today. Our proximity to the Marlborough Sounds, a fjord like coastal body of water and our biggest climatic influence perfectly encapsulates the core of nature, sustainability and history that our winery embodies.
Pictured: The Marlborough Sounds, as depicted on our labels
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Cheers to a summer of Sauvignon Blanc with Catalina Sounds!
