Time in a bottle – A vertical look at Three Brooms Marlborough SB.

Recently, we hosted a vertical tasting of Three Brooms, beginning with the 2014 vintage.

Tasted side by side, each vintage reveals subtle shifts in structure and character, based on weather and winemaking style.  It was one of those moments that reminded us why wine is never just about one bottle, not about 1 year, but about a place, mood, its caretakers, and all the stories in between.

It was ABOUT TIME, also one of Gillett’s favorite movies.

Vintage Tasting:

Vintage 2014: for the first time in our vertical tastings, this wine started showing some lack of luster. Nothing unpleasant, but each of the components were a bit tired – thanks for the great run 14!

Vintage 2016: you are a bit tighter than the voluptuously aging V14.  Holding your beautiful garden-fresh vegetable characters while enveloping them in citrusy exotic fruit.

Vintage 2017: You are a conundrum.  What once was fully integrated and elegant has become assertive from different directions.  Parts of you are aging like Halie Berry and the other part like Kieth Richards.  I can get behind that. 

Vintage 2018:  You were MIA

Vintage 2019: Still showing the original currant leaf and kiwi fruit with minerality on the nose.  Your subtle powers are not diminishing but your mouthwatering orchard and exotic fruits remain in balance with that blanket of texture.

Vintage 2020:  Still our renegade.  Lemons, limes and yesterday’s biscuits from the kitchen counter on the nose.  Juicy acidity and exotic fruit dominate the mid-pallet.  Then a bit of that classic current leaf, minerality and smokiness in its subtle tropical blanket.  This was a very short year, but the concentration almost makes me forget about stock mgmt. from CY21.

Newer vintages have not varied too far from their original journey.  But more to come in the next round.

Our recent vertical tasting, featuring the 2016–2025 vintages, showcases the longevity and charisma of this wine.

What is Vertical wine tasting

A vertical wine tasting is comparing the same wine from the same producer but different vintages (years) to understand how factors like weather, aging, and winemaking style change its character over time, revealing a wine’s aging potential and the unique story of each year, often moving from youngest to oldest or vice versa to understand maturity and aging patterns. 

 It contrasts with a horizontal tasting, which compares different wines from the same year.

About Three Brooms SAUVIGNON BLANC

Our single vineyard wine is elegant and intense, creamy and full of fruit.

Lower yields, French yeast, long, very cold fermentation and our New World version of battonage produce a wine of lush flavors, true elegance, varietal definition, classic Awatere minerality and a weighty mid-palate.

Early budbreak and later harvesting with more hang time in the long fall evenings and larger diurnal temperature differences, both of which help this wine develop its complex palette on the vine.

About Barker’s Marque – Waverley Vineyard

Barkers Marque – Waverley Vineyards offers award-winning wines from Blind River, Marlborough, New Zealand. These are the kind of wines that enthusiasts are looking for from this land of discovery – clean, fresh, intense and exotic wines of the highest caliber. They come from unique terroir with a unique profile. Our four distinctive Sauvignon Blancs and single estate Riesling, represent the finest wines in the region.

Last but not least.

We invite you to experience Three Brooms Sauvignon Blanc beyond the glass. Visit our Did You Know? page, choose one of our carefully selected recipes, along with the musical playlist “The Sounds of Waverley” handpicked by our two vintners to personify the unique character of a wine & vineyard. Together, they offer another way to discover the character of the wine and the place it comes from.

Enjoy!

Three Brooms – Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

For ten vintages, Three Brooms Sauvignon Blanc has earned 90 points or more from respected international wine critics—an achievement that speaks not only to quality, but to remarkable consistency. In winemaking, excellence isn’t measured by a single standout vintage. It’s measured by the ability to produce exceptional wines from one block, year after year, despite the changing conditions that every growing season brings.

Every vintage tells a different story. Weather patterns, harvest timing, and the pace of ripening all influence the final wine. Maintaining a consistently high standard over a decade requires more than experience—it demands an intimate understanding of the vineyard and a commitment to expressing its unique character in every bottle.

The story begins at Waverley Vineyard in Blind River, Marlborough. Situated close to the Pacific Ocean, the vineyard benefits from cooling sea breezes, mineral-rich soils, and a long growing season that encourages slow, even ripening. In the winery, Simon ferments the wine at exceptionally cold temperatures, preserving its vibrant aromatics, crisp acidity, and pure fruit expression while allowing the distinctive character of the vineyard to shine through in every vintage.

Three Brooms is crafted to showcase this unique site. Lees aging adds texture and depth, while layers of ripe citrus, melon, tomato leaf, lemongrass, dried herbs, and subtle stone fruit notes create a wine that is both expressive and refined. Its savoury edge and long finish make it equally compelling on its own or alongside food.

Our recent vertical tasting, featuring the 2016–2025 vintages, showcases the longevity and charisma of this wine.

Perhaps the greatest compliment to Three Brooms isn’t found in a single tasting note or vintage report. It’s the confidence that wine lovers and critics alike have returned to it year after year. Ten vintages rated 90 points or higher reflect a philosophy built on consistency, thoughtful viticulture, meticulous winemaking, and respect for one extraordinary vineyard.

For us, those scores are not the destination—they’re a reflection of the dedication behind every vintage and our commitment to crafting wines that faithfully express the character of Blind River.

As we celebrate our 20th vintage this year, we’re marking the occasion with the release of a limited number of wine maker signed Three Brooms Sauvignon Blanc magnums–created especially for our most devoted Three Brooms enthusiasts.

Last but not least.

We invite you to experience Three Brooms Sauvignon Blanc beyond the glass. Visit our Did You Know? page, choose one of our carefully selected recipes, along with the musical playlist “The Sounds of Waverley” handpicked by our two vintners to personify the unique character of a wine & vineyard. Together, they offer another way to discover the character of the wine and the place it comes from.

Enjoy!

At Barker’s Marque – Waverley Vineyard, wine is never just a product. It is place, people, and process — shaped by land, guided by experience, and refined by restraint. Here’s our story, explained A to Z.

A

A — Arona Sauvignon Blanc

A — Awatere Valley

Waverley Vineyard sits in Blind River, at the southeastern edge of Marlborough’s wine-growing region. The Awatere Valley is cooler, windier, and more mineral-driven than much of Marlborough — producing wines with structure, tension, and distinctive character.

A – Authenticity

In many ways, how we utilize the elements of climate and winegrowing techniques help to cultivate the Terroir.  Authenticity for us is there to be captured not created. 

B

B — Blind River

Blind River is more than a location — it is home. This coastal environment, shaped by cold nights, ocean influence, and rugged terrain, defines the personality of our wines and sets them apart.

B – Barker Marque – The Marque of Quality

The soul of the vineyard and wines.  Simon incorporates every aspect of flavor, elegance, technique and intuition into the vineyards – directly creating our individual style of our Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs.

B – Battonage

Three Brooms benefits greatly from the blending of lees with the wine for a substantial period of time releasing Mannoproteins giving a richer creamier mouthfeel.  Amino Acids and Polysaccarides enhance the body and texture, while oxygen is obsorbed in small amounts protecting the freshness. 

C

C – Climate

A cool coastal climate allows slow, even ripening, preserving acidity, aromatics, and balance in the finished wines and future-focused practices.

C – Certified Sustainable

D

D – Detail 

From vineyard decisions to cellar work, attention to detail guides every step — because small choices shape the final expression.

E

E – Experience

Having built and developed the vineyards from scratch… Two decades of working with the same site has given us deep insight into how the vineyard responds to cover crop, canopy, harvest timing, and pruning.  Built on integrity, openness, and transparency. Every decision from vineyard management to winemaking — is made with long-term quality in mind.  Some believe that experience is re-doing what you know, but for Simon – experience is adapting and continually being your own biggest critic. 

F

F — Farming

Winemaking may sound glamorous, but there’s another name for it.  All things BMWV start and finish in the vineyard. Our fruit is carefully tended using sensible, sustainable methods allowing the vineyard to express itself naturally with each of its wines with minimal intervention in the cellar.

F

F – Food pairing

G

G — Gillett

H

H — Hangtime

Due to our diurnal temps Waverley vineyard, our grapes can hang – on the vines longer resulting in a longer, slower more steady ripening.

I

I — Independent , Irreverent, Intrepid

J

J — James Busby

we revere history.  In 1840 an Englishman names James Busby began making wine in Waitangi.  From that period the church began making wine for Sacramental purposes and moved to Hawkes Bay and started Mission Estate (still producing wine today).

K

Kings of Leon, Kooks, Killers, Keane: Bands that made the “Sounds of Waverley” set list for The Vintners music collection. 

L

L — The Loop “Blanc”

L — Location

We are all about the sense of place.  Our wines are not made by a recipe but rather the best vineyard and harvesting management.

L – Late Harvest Riesling

Yep, we just made our first one to celebrate our 20 Vintage Anniversary and its “L”ucious. 

M

M — Marlborough

Marlborough is world-famous for Sauvignon Blanc, but we believe it is capable of far more depth and diversity. Our wines add texture and balance to the region’s intensity, offering a different perspective on what Marlborough can be. Only ¼ of 1% of all wines in the world come from Marlborough, but it is one of the most popular white wines in multiple countries.

N

N — New Zealand

We are Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – don’t call us New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

O

O — Ocean influence

The center of our Waverley vineyard is about a half mile from the ocean.  The ocean breezes/winds help moderated our temperatures, help protect from decease,

P

P — Philosophy

We create wine that is true and representative of this region. Wine that reflects the true character of the Blind River terroir of the vineyard that is our home. Wine that adds texture and balance to the intensity of the world-famous Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs. Our belief is that winemaking starts in the vineyard and that fruit carefully tended and managed using sensible, sustainable methods requires minimal intervention from the winemaker for our terroir to show its potential. The result is wines of quality with unique flavor profiles— wines with a freshness and minerality not found else-where in Marlborough.

P – Playlist

Listen to our Vintner’s favorite songs personifying each wine and area of the vineyard. (Click on an icon).

Q

Q — Quality

Quality is built through patience, discipline, and respect for the vineyard rather than shortcuts.

R

R – ranga.ranga Sauvignon Blanc

R – Three Brooms Riesling

S

S — Simon

S – Super-Cold  

You can’t think about Simon and winemaking without thinking about his maverick approach to making wine.  He ferments dangerously cold to maximize flavor and complexity.

S — Sustainability

Certified sustainable and 100% vegan friendly, our wines reflect a commitment to responsible farming.

S — Sauvignon Blanc

T

T — Terroir

Blind River terroir delivers freshness, minerality, and unique flavour profiles not found elsewhere in Marlborough. The diurnal temperatures created by being in between the ocean and mountains allow the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly.

T — Three Brooms Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

U

U — Undeterred…

V

V — Value

We’ve been able to keep our prices competitive with the largest Marlborough producers. Are we charging too little or are they charging too much.

V — Vegan

W

W — Waverley Vineyard

Planted in 2004 and 2005, Waverley Vineyard is one contiguous estate. From this single site, four distinct wines emerged — each shaped by site, season, and intention.

X

X – Xplaining

I think we’ve done enough explaining.

Y

Y – Yield

Is about balance both from vine health point and a winemaking/business perspective.  Cropping at the right level is good for both winemaking and making a living. 

Z

Z — Zest for life…

At the heart of our Estate wines is a quiet determination to do things properly — to keep improving, to stay transparent, and to let the vineyard speak first, and to create the unexpected in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that bring new drinkers to the category.

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Blind River, on Marlborough’s southern edge, is one of Marlborough’s most remote wine sub-regions. Its rugged beauty produces layered, complex, minerally fruit-driven Sauvignon Blancs unlike anywhere else. But make no mistake — growing grapes here is not easy. The same forces that make Blind River wines so distinctive are also what make vineyard life risky.

The Wild Climate of Blind River

Blind River is known for being cooler, drier, and windier than Marlborough’s central valleys. That brings both blessings and challenges:

• Strong winds → They keep the vines healthy by reducing disease pressure, they also stress the plants, lowering yields for more concentrated fruit.
• Frost risk → In spring, when buds are just emerging, a single frost event can cut production drastically.
• Heavy rains & flooding → While Blind River is generally dry, nature can turn in an instant. In recent years, parts of the vineyard sat under floodwater for two full weeks — a stark reminder that no matter how carefully you plan, you’re always at the mercy of the elements. Our coastal vineyards is generally about 2 meters above sea level but we actually have a portion of the vineyard that is 1 meter below sea level.
• Drought conditions → Water is precious here; irrigation is tightly managed to keep vines alive while preserving intensity of flavor.
• Nature’s Other Threats

Even in this rugged environment, vineyards are never safe from nature’s curveballs:

•  Pests & birds can strip fruit if not carefully managed.
•  Fungal disease can appear after heavy rains or humid periods.
• Climate change adds uncertainty, making weather harder to predict each season.

The Financial Gamble

Every year in Blind River is a gamble:

• Low yields are the norm — which makes wines concentrated and expressive, but also risky for a business.
• A single bad season (like floods or frost damage) can mean financial strain, especially for boutique producers.
• Global trade shifts (tariffs, shipping costs, changing consumer tastes) ripple straight back to the vineyard gate.

Resilience at Barker’s Marque

20 years after our first planting, we have begun the necessary task of replanting blocks of the vineyard.  At Barker’s Marque-Waverley Vineyard, resilience is part of the DNA. Surviving two weeks of flooding wasn’t just about saving vines — it was about protecting the future of the land itself. Every vintage means working with — not against — Blind River’s rugged conditions. And while the risks are real, the rewards are undeniable: wines with a freshness, minerality, and intensity that simply can’t be replicated elsewhere.

What’s more, all Barker’s Marque wines are sustainably produced ensuring the vineyard doesn’t just endure today’s challenges but helps protect Blind River’s environment for generations to come.

Why the Risk is Worth It

Behind every glass of Blind River Sauvignon Blanc lies a season of uncertainty: frost nights, wind-whipped days, floods that can linger for weeks, and the constant watch on skies and soils. But that’s what makes these wines so alive. They carry the story of a place where risk meets reward, and where every bottle is proof that nature’s challenges can be transformed into beauty.

May We Suggest…

BMWV Origin & Philosophy

Wine has always had rules – but rules are made to be broken. Enter the viral trend taking over social feeds: jalapeño-infused Sauvignon Blanc, playfully dubbed “Spicy Sauvy B.” And it turns out, this twist isn’t just a gimmick — it actually works beautifully, especially with Blind River Sauvignon Blanc from Barker’s Marque – Waverley Vineyard.

May We Suggest…

How to Try It at Home


• Choose the Wine → Crisp, zesty Sauvignon Blanc with herbal character. (Hint: wines from Barker’s Marque are perfect.)

• Slice the Jalapeño → Fresh works, but freezing slices makes them double as flavor + ice cubes.
• Infuse Lightly → Drop in 1–2 slices per glass; let it sit for a minute.
• Sip & Adjust → Add more slices if you want more heat.

Barker’s Marque Twist

Wines from Barker’s Marque-Waverley Vineyard already showcase Blind River’s herbal, mineral-driven edge, and some even have that jalapeno nuance. . Infusing them with jalapeño isn’t masking their character — it’s highlighting it. If Sauvignon Blanc had a playful side hustle, this would be it.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s not about breaking tradition — it’s about refreshing it. Jalapeño-infused Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is:

• Perfect for entertaining.
• Easy to make.
• A bold new way to enjoy a classic.


So this fall don’t just pour Sauvignon Blanc. Spice it up.
Find our wines

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. Later harvesting means more hang time in the long fall evenings and larger diurnal temperature differences, both of which help this wine develop its complex palette. Read Winemaker Notes

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. Read Winemaker Note

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. There is the usual light, creamy funky character that we’ve come to expect now and, really, I just hope the palate lives up to this nose. Read Winemaker Notes

Three Brooms Riesling
What stands out in this single vineyard wine is the elegance and intensity Bright, juicy and crisp, it’s gently floral with citrus blossom aromatics and a creamy peach and nectarine richness. Read Winemaker Note 

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. Read Winemaker Note