Life Between the Vines: A Conversation with Barker’s Marque – Waverley Vineyard
“What is the key to making great wine in New Zealand? Terroir. Terroir. Terroir. And Blind River. And Marlborough. Not to mention passion, heart and focus. I met up with Barker’s Marque Winery Co-Proprietor Gillett Johnson to learn more about these New Zealand wines. Gillett along with his partner and Simon Barker have taken Sauvignon Blanc to its highest level. My eyes have been opened and my palate made happy.” Ray Fister.
About Barker’s Marque – Waverley Vineyard
Our philosophy has always been rooted in the vineyard: grow exceptional fruit, intervene as little as possible, and allow each part of Waverley to express its own character. From one vineyard have emerged distinctly different expressions of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, alongside our estate Riesling.
Listen to the podcast episode.
At Barker’s Marque – Waverley Vineyards, we don’t make just one Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. From our single estate vineyard in Blind River, the vineyard invites us to craft four distinct expressions: Arona, Three Brooms, The Loop, and ranga.ranga. Four wines, four personalities, all shaped by the similar coastal terroir and our minimal-intervention approach.
Watch the podcast episode.
May We Suggest…
Arona Sauvignon Blanc
The riper, more tropical and exotic side of Barker’s Marque, features a wide spectrum of flavours. Ripe stone-fruit and pineapple with lifted floral notes filling out the edges. A fruity alternative to the many grapefruit bombs available.
The Loop Sauvignon Blanc
Wow! Simply Wow! The intensity here is incredible and it starts with wet stone minerality and a rich smokiness. It is also amazingly delicate and complex, with citrus blossom, elderflower, gooseberry and nettle. It’s almost sensory overload, with so many layers and so much interest.
ranga.ranga Sauvignon Blanc
Estate grown and “Old School”. The crisp citric flavors carry a solid core of lemon grass, lime zest, the tang of cut lawn, plus a hint of dried herbs and a touch of Awatere minerality. And it packs a fresh, zingy punch on the finish that makes it stand out from the crowd.
Three Brooms Sauvignon Blanc
Our single singie vineyard is elegant and intense, creamy and full of fruit. Lower yields, French yeast, long and very cold fermentation and our version of battonage produce a wine of lush flavors, true elegance, varietal definition, classic Awatere minerality and a weighty mid-palate.
Listen to Gillett defining the phrase “New World Battonage” for Three Brooms.
About Ray Fister & Life Between the Vines
Ray Fister is the creator and host of Life Between the Vines, a wine podcast built around a simple idea: wine doesn’t have to be intimidating. Through conversations with winery owners, winemakers and wine professionals, Ray brings listeners into the stories, personalities and places behind the bottle. Ray has been producing Life Between the Vines since 2008 and has recorded more than 1,400 interviews with winery owners, winemakers and wine-industry professionals. He is also a wine contributor to NPR Milwaukee’s WUWM Lake Effect and the author of Vino Lingo.
A big thank you to Ray for the conversation – and for giving us the opportunity to share a little more of the Waverley story.
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