{"title":"Awatere Valley","description":"Awatere Valley is the smaller of two subregions within the famous \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.gerrardseel.co.uk\/collections\/new-zealand\/marlborough\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Marlborough\"\u003eMarlborough\u003c\/a\u003e wine region of New Zealand. It lies south-east of the region's main wine-growing area, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.gerrardseel.co.uk\/collections\/new-zealand\/marlborough+wairau-valley\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Wairau Valley\"\u003eWairau Valley\u003c\/a\u003e, surrounding the small township of Seddon. Herbaceous, grassy Sauvignon Blancs with characteristic aromas of tomato leaf are a particular specialty of the region.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAwatere Valley is on the seaward side of Marlborough, in a valley running parallel with the east coast of the South Island. The Awatere River, which flows south from Clifford Bay, gives the region its name – \u003cem\u003eawatere\u003c\/em\u003e meaning \"fast-flowing river\" in the local Maori dialect. The Wither Hills in the north separate Awatere from the Wairau Valley.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe vineyards of the Awatere Valley sit on a variety of hills and river terraces in the rugged, rolling landscape. Wind-blown loams sit atop a base of alluvial gravel, mostly made up of greywacke. These dry, free-draining soils are one of the most important features of the \u003cem\u003eterroir\u003c\/em\u003e in Awatere because they stress the vines. Stressed vines grow deep root systems in search of water and nutrients and produce high quality berries to ensure the propagation of their species.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe climate is influenced heavily by the ocean that makes up the northern and eastern boundaries of the region. Intense sunlight during the day is cooled by ocean winds, contributing to the diurnal temperature shift that extends the growing season in the Awatere Valley. These winds are a challenge to \u003cem\u003evignerons\u003c\/em\u003e, but also contribute positively to viticulture here. Both canopy growth and yields are limited by the winds, and the berries grow thick skins to protect themselves, contributing to the structure of the finished wines. The wind can help to dry the vines as well, reducing the risk of rot after rainfall or dew.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe potential of the Awatere Valley as a premium site for viticulture came a decade after the first Marlborough vines were planted in the Wairau Valley. In the late 1980s, the first pioneering growers began establishing vineyards on the hills in Awatere's more challenging \u003cem\u003eterroir\u003c\/em\u003e. Now, the valley is home to a significant acreage of grapevines, and although not as important commercially as the Wairau Valley, produces some of Marlborough's best known \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.gerrardseel.co.uk\/collections\/sauvignon-blanc\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Sauvignon Blanc\"\u003eSauvignon Blanc\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe distinct minerality of Awatere Sauvignon Blanc has led to inevitable comparisons with the famous wines of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.gerrardseel.co.uk\/collections\/france\/loire-valley+sancerre\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Sancerre\"\u003eSancerre\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.gerrardseel.co.uk\/collections\/pinot-noir\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Pinot Noir\"\u003ePinot Noir\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.gerrardseel.co.uk\/collections\/riesling\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Riesling\"\u003eRiesling\u003c\/a\u003e have also found a home in the vineyards of the Awatere Valley and, as well, growers are experimenting with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.gerrardseel.co.uk\/collections\/chardonnay\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Chardonnay\"\u003eChardonnay\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.gerrardseel.co.uk\/collections\/pinot-gris-pinot-grigio\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Pinot Gris\/Pinot Grigio\"\u003ePinot Gris\u003c\/a\u003e, Gruner Veltliner and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.gerrardseel.co.uk\/collections\/tempranillo\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Tempranillo\"\u003eTempranillo\u003c\/a\u003e.","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/finewineoffers.co.uk\/collections\/awatere-valley.oembed","provider":"Fine Wine Offers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}