Natalie Christensen, Chief Winemaker for Yealands Wines

Sauvignon Blanc is New Zealand’s spirit animal in wine, if you will.  Renowned for its intensely pure and vibrant Sauvignon Blanc wines, the cooler temperatures in the Marlborough region of the South Island provide the perfect cradle to develop its flavor and acidity, making wines that resonate in the glass.  Yealands Wines crafts elegant and distinctive Sauvignon Blancs that channel the boldness of New Zealand.  Sustainable from the start, Yealands’ quest is to preserve the environment while making delicious wine, their mission statement, “Think Boldly, Tread Lightly”, is setting the standard for the world to live by.

Founder Peter Yealands, Courtesy of Yealands Wines

Courtesy of Yealands Wines

From auspicious beginnings, starting with the date 8/08/08, Yealands Wines has always thought “outside the box”.  Founder Peter Yealands had a working knowledge of the oceanic, forestry and viticulture businesses, in fact, he is best known for creating Greenshell mussel farming, which became one of the top exports from New Zealand.   He used his innovation and experience to create a sustainable, carbon zero winery from the very beginning, a holistic approach to farming.  And even though he retired in 2018, Yealands' green design continues in the winemaking business that bears his name.

Babydoll Sheep in Seaview Vineyard, Courtesy of Yealands Wines

Solar panels on winery roof, Courtesy of Yealands Wines

Vine prunings, baled for biofuel, Courtesy of Yealands Wines

Butterfly habitat, Courtesy of Yealands Wines

​Sustainability is a major part of the Yealands equation.  Constantly tinkering with the best environmentally-friendly approaches, the sustainable recipe includes many aspects.  Yealands has one of the largest solar energy arrays in New Zealand, over 1300 panels strong.  Vine prunings are baled like hay, and then dried, used as biofuel to heat water in the winery, and also mulched into the vineyard soils, benefitting the vines.  Three wind turbines provide renewable energy for the winery.  To support their carbon neutral certification, and reduce emissions year after year, energy efficiency is key, using cover crops and a flock of sheep to manage the vineyards.  Even indirectly improving their environment is a focus, restoring wetlands and planting a protected butterfly habitat to add biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem that feeds the vineyards.  And even though it seems that Yealands has all their bases covered, they continue to look for new sustainability initiatives to incorporate into the mix.

Yealands Estate Winery, Courtesy of Yealands Wines

Embracing the Toitū CarboNZero certification, Yealands is committed to measuring, monitoring and reducing carbon emissions, the first winery in the world to do so.  Joining the International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) in 2020, Yealands has pledged to lower its carbon emissions 50% by 2030, and 80% by 2045, believing that “producing world-class wines doesn’t have to be at the expense of the environment”, according to Tiffani Graydon, CEO of Yealands Wine Group.

Seaview Vineyard, Courtesy of Yealands Wines

Seaview Vineyard, Courtesy of Yealands Wines

The 2,965 acre Seaview Vineyard in the Awatere Valley is Yealands pride and joy, the largest privately owned vineyard in New Zealand.   Here in this rugged coastal landscape, overlooking Cook’s Strait, the impossible became possible, where a wild and windswept patch, seemingly inhospitable to growing wine grapes, yielded exciting results.  Preserving the rolling hills and planting over 80% of the vineyards for optimum sun exposure, the many micro climates created what Yealands calls a “folded landscape”, which provides unique growing conditions within the vine rows.  The constant winds keep the grapes small, and they develop thick skins for protection, which concentrates the fruit flavors.  Cool yet dry, Seaview gives rise to a variety of wine styles and varietals, there are 133 blocks within this large vineyard, channeling the mineral, saline qualities imparted by the sea spray that often mists the vines.

Natalie Christensen, Chief Winemaker for Yealands Wines, Courtesy of Yealands Wines

Chief Winemaker Natalie Christensen is a native Kiwi, whose passion for wine and music intersect at the crossroads of science and artistic expression.  A love of music first led her to a Bachelor of Music from Canterbury University where she became a classically trained double bass player.  Although she was attracted to music for its healing properties, Christensen realized she needed another avenue for job security.  She worked her first harvest in 2006 and loved it, turning her happiness into a new career, earning a Master of Science with a specialty in Oenology.  From there, she worked her way up in the wine business, leaving Marlborough for experience in Spain, Bordeaux and Oregon, returning to New Zealand and landing at Yealands in 2015.  Since then, Christensen has sought to create wines that reflect her mantra of “peace, unity and harmony”, taking the already pristine wines of Yealands and making them even more seamless.  In 2018, she was named by The Drinks Business as one of the World’s Most Influential Women in Wine.  In the same year, Christensen acted as a mentor for up and coming women winemakers through the Women in Wine program run by New Zealand Winegrowers.  

Winemaker Natalie Christensen of Yealands Wines

​Christensen recently came to Los Angeles, sharing five of Yealands elegant wines and their mission of sustainability with wine writers over a six-course luncheon at Crustacean in Beverly Hills.  She spoke of the essence of Yealands' Sauvignon Blanc wines, and what it means to be a "green" winemaker.

​Exploring what that means in the glass led to a lively discussion of the first wine, Yealands Sauvignon Blanc Rosé 2022 (SRP $18).  Christensen dubbed it the “weirdo” rosé, I found that it played with your mind, the wine color leads you to expect a Provence style wine, but bingo, it has an intense nose of lime, very Sauvignon Blanc!  Yealands created this wine to satisfy their UK customers, who requested they make a rosé.  So a splash of Merlot for color and texture, about 2%, added to a fully Sauvignon Blanc aromatic body, and voilà, a “psychological experiment” was born.  Bright citrus, crisp acidity, and herbal notes with a hint of blackcurrent, it has a long, mineral finish, a great pair with seafood, barbecue chicken and salads.  Definitely a conversation starter!

Tuna Cigar with Tobiko Caviar

Spicy Pacific Yellowtail Sashimi accented with “Calabrasian” Chili Sauce

Vegan Hearts of Palm “Crab Cake” with Spicy Vegan Aioli

An’s Famous Roasted Dungeness Crab with An’s Famous Garlic Noodles

As the luncheon began, three of Yealands’ Sauvignon Blancs were poured alongside the first four expertly-paired courses. Crustacean's incredible food was the perfect backdrop for these wines, and worthy of mention.  First course, a bit of culinary theater, when what seemed to be a cigar humidor was opened, and out of the smoke, Tuna Cigars with Tobiko Caviar were revealed!  Second Course, Spicy Pacific Yellowtail Sashimi accented with “Calabrasian” Chili Sauce, and Third Course, a Vegan Hearts of Palm “Crab Cake” with Spicy Vegan Aioli, with the Fourth Course, Crustacean’s claim to fame, their An’s Famous Roasted Dungeness Crab with An’s Famous Garlic Noodles.  All of these dishes really showcased Yealands Sauvignon Blanc wines.

First, the Yealands Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2022 (SRP $18) is a blend of two vineyards in Awatere and Wairau Valley.  It is an intense and structured wine with layers of both ripe tropical and refreshing citrus fruit, accented with green herbal notes.  Crisp with a mineral finish, it’s perfect with seafood, grilled chicken, salads, and pastas.

Next, the Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Awatere Valley, Marlborough 2022 (SRP $27), from three blocks within the Seaview Vineyard, is nicely evolved for such a young wine.  Its herbal and mineral character, very much a crushed oyster shell quality, is enveloped in a generous and textured palate, with snow pea, passionfruit, and a smidge of ripe tropical fruit.  For Christensen, it’s a perfect example of the richness and depth of a single vineyard wine, soft yet penetrating on the palate.  A very good pair with freshly shucked oysters, steamed green lip mussels, or goat cheese salad.

​The final Sauvignon Blanc poured, the Yealands Estate S1 Single Block Sauvignon Blanc, Awatere Valley, Marlborough 2021 (SRP $33), is utterly spectacular!  Taking first place in the prestigious 2022 International Wine Challenge out of London, and crowned the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world, this three dimensional wine is vibrant, pure and expressive, with immediate herbal and blackcurrant leaf notes, followed by ripe citrus and hint of nectarine.  It’s elegant, textured and concentrated, with a long mineral finish.  On the label, their mantra, “Think boldly, tread lightly”, really captures the essence of this wine.  This wine is a perfect companion for fresh and cooked seafood, such as freshly shucked oysters, prawns, green lipped mussels and creamy scallops, or in this case, Dungeness crab.

Wok Watercress Filet Mignon Beef

And, just to prove the variety of wine that can be grown in the Seaview Vineyard, the Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, Awatere Valley, Marlborough 2020 (SRP $34) joined the party.  Intense with ripe blackberry, cherry and boysenberry fruit, there is a leafy, savory character about this wine.  Spice and cocoa play among the fine tannins and oak notes from fermentation in French oak barriques.  Paired with the Wok Watercress Filet Mignon Beef, it presented itself as a racy, spicy wine with dusty tannins, and would also be a perfect pair with venison, lamb, wood-fired pizza and nachos.

Natalie Christensen, communing among the vines, Courtesy of Yealands Wines

Yealands Wines of New Zealand is the complete package, producing award-winning wines made by a gifted winemaker, birthed from a spectacular coastal vineyard and winery that is nurtured by sustainable means.  And, to top it off, these incredibly high quality wines retail for such a reasonable price.  Yealands is leading by example, where great wine can spring from respect for our environment, making the world a better place, glass by glass.