2024 Dawn Chorus - Sauvignon Blanc Hawke's Bay (750ml)

The 2024 Dawn Chorus Sauvignon Blanc is an organically farmed New Zealand white wine that showcases the distinctive terroir of Hawke's Bay, on the sun-drenched East Coast of Aotearoa. The vineyard sits inland about 20 miles from the sea, nestled at the base of uplifted limestone hills, with soils shaped by ancient river flooding and, even further back, a saltwater lake formed as New Zealand rose from the sea. The result is shallow river silts over greywacke stone and deep, slightly saline subsoils that lend the wine its characteristic mineral edge.

Grapes are harvested in the cool morning hours, while dew is still on the ground, to preserve acidity, fresh aromatics, and the most desirable phenolics. In the winery, natural fermentation and an extended period on yeast lees build complexity and texture, followed by a single-pass filtration before bottling. The winemaking philosophy, as the producers put it, is "minimal intervention, maximum intention."

In the glass, the 2024 Dawn Chorus delivers a bright, expressive profile well suited to fans of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc:

• Aromas of white grapefruit, passion fruit, lemon, lime, and citrus, with a saline mineral note
• Flavors of grapefruit, citrus, passionfruit, and golden melon, with vibrant acidity and a hint of crunchy phenolics
• A mouth-filling, lively finish that is both food-friendly and eminently drinkable on its own

This wine pairs beautifully with shellfish, vegetarian dishes, and fresh goat's milk cheese. It is an excellent expression of organically grown Hawke's Bay Sauvignon Blanc at an accessible price point.