Barker’s Marque – Waverley Vineyard – Barkers Marque Wines

New Zealand is a country, Marlborough Is a Region, Not a Flavor

Mari — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:10:56 +0000

New Zealand is a country, Marlborough Is a Region, Not a Flavor

Say New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and many wine drinkers have an idea. Say “Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc” and many wine drinkers cock their heads and say isn’t that the same as New Zealand? Let’s dig in…

Bright. Aromatic. Lively. Recognizable. That familiarity has helped make Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc one of New Zealand’s great international success stories. But it can also create an interesting misconception: that Marlborough itself represents a single style. It doesn’t.

Marlborough is a place—and within that place are different valleys, sites, vineyards and growing conditions capable of producing distinctly different expressions of Sauvignon Blanc.

Look Closer

Move south from the better-known areas of Marlborough and you reach the Awatere Valley. It has its own geography, climate and coastal influences. And within the Awatere lies Waverley Vineyard, home of Barker’s Marque.

The vineyard is one contiguous estate site, located approximately half a mile from the Pacific Ocean. That specificity matters. “New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc” tells you something. “Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc” tells you more. “Awatere Valley” takes you closer.

And eventually you arrive at a vineyard.

One Place Can Have More Than One Voice

This is where wine becomes particularly interesting.

If origin determined a single flavor, wines from the same vineyard would all tell essentially the same story.

At Waverley Vineyard, they don’t.

Three Brooms, The Loop, ranga.ranga and Arona share the same estate origin, yet each has developed its own identity.

The common thread is place. The expression is individual. Together, the wines offer an opportunity to experience Waverley not as one prescribed style, but through several interpretations of the same vineyard.

From Category to Place

For someone encountering the wines for the first time, “Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc” may be the familiar starting point.

But it doesn’t have to be the end of the conversation. Wine becomes more interesting as we zoom in.

Country becomes region.

Region becomes valley.

Valley becomes vineyard.

And vineyard becomes wine.

Perhaps that is one of the most interesting things about Sauvignon Blanc today. A category famous for having a recognizable identity is giving us more reasons to look at the differences within it.

Because Marlborough isn’t a flavor.

It’s a place.

And places have more than one story to tell.

Barker’s Marque – Waverley Vineyard Explained A to Z

Mari — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:53:32 +0000

Barker’s Marque – Waverley Vineyard Explained A to Z

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 — Arona Sauvignon Blanc

A riper more tropical and exotic expression of our SB. Pineapple core and stone fruit make this dynamic alternative to MSB. A beautiful young mademoiselle, fruity, open, friendly – very approachable.”

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 — 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 – 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

For us, sustainability is not a label – it’s a promise.
Every Barker’s Marque wine is 100% vegan and certified under Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ), a nationwide program that ensures every step – from vineyard care to bottling – meets the highest environmental standards.

D – Detail

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

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 — 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 – Food pairing

Did You Know? We’ve created an interactive tasting experience to help you explore each wine beyond the glass. Discover two carefully selected recipes for every wine, along with musical playlists handpicked by our two vintners to personify the unique character of each wine. Together, they’re designed to make every tasting even more memorable. Follow the link.

G — Gillett

Co-Proprietor. He is a wine industry professional specializing in distribution and building brand equity. For over 35 years, Gillett has managed dozens of brands, and with Simon has overseen most every aspect of the development of Barker’s Marque-Waverley Vineyard.

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 — Independent , Irreverent, Intrepid

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).

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

L — The Loop “Blanc”

Named after a special place on the southern edge of the vineyard, The Loop is lush and floral, with hints of Kiwi fruit, goose-berry, pink grapefruit and herbs. The wine is personified as: “Mom…– kind and gentle but with a backbone of steel. Very Complex and incredibly intriguing”. – Simon Barker.

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 — 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 — New Zealand

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

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 — 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 — Quality

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

R – ranga.ranga Sauvignon Blanc

Crisp with hints of lemon grass and dried herbs complimenting deep range of sweet citrus flavors. “A feisty teenage boy, it’s fresh, it’s vibrant – full of life”.

R – Three Brooms Riesling

Bright, juicy and crisp, it’s gently floral with citrus blossom aromatics and a creamy peach and nectarine richness.

S — Simon

Co-proprietor, in charge of all Vineyards, Production and Winemaking Guru. Simon has been making wines around the world since 2003. He has honed his winemaking skills in Oregon, CA, England, Sancerre and ultimately in Marlborough.

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 — 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

Three Brooms 90 points Wine Spectator; A perfect balance of showcasing garden-fresh legumes and round tropical and melon fruits. Extended lees contact give this wine a rich, rounded mouthfeel surrounded by a multitude of exotic and tropical flavors. As personified “The patriarch of the family, Big, intense, but with incredible depth”.

U — Undeterred…

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 — 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 – Xplaining

I think we’ve done enough explaining.

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 — 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.

Blind River – Marlborough’s Hidden Gem and Home to Barker’s Marque Waverley Vineyard Wines

Mari — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 19:14:27 +0000

Blind River – Marlborough’s Hidden Gem and Home to Barker’s Marque Waverley Vineyard Wines

When people think of Marlborough, they often picture lush valleys, endless vineyards, and world-famous Sauvignon Blanc. But tucked away on the southern edge of the region lies Blind River – a place with its own voice, its own story, and wines that stand apart. It’s here that Barker’s Marque – Waverley Vineyard crafts its expressive Sauvignon Blanc, marked by clarity, minerality, and exotic complexities.

Young but Remarkable Sub-Region

Unlike the predominate valleys of Marlborough, Blind River is a relative newcomer. The first vines were only planted in the early 2000s, yet in just two decades, this small sub-region has carved out a reputation for producing some of the most distinctive Sauvignon Blancs in the country. Its location is everything: cooler, drier, and windier than Marlborough’s central valleys. These conditions, combined with gravelly, clay soils, push the vines to work harder — resulting in fruit with concentration, vibrancy, and character.

What Makes Blind River Unique

Blind River’s wines reflect their rugged environment:

Cooler climate preserves natural acidity, giving Sauvignon Blancs razor-sharp freshness.
Wind exposure reduces disease pressure and yields, producing grapes with greater intensity.
Gravelly/clay soils contribute a distinctive mineral backbone — often called the “Awatere signature.”
Durnial temperatures created by proximity to the ocean & mountains create long ripening season
Long sunshine hours ensure ripeness, while cool nights preserve aromatics and balance.

The result? Wines that are, more structured, and more complex than many Marlborough counterparts. Blind River may be small, but it’s home to passionate producers whose wines are gaining global recognition. Barker’s Marque Winery— Based right in Blind River, Barker’s Marque crafts Sauvignon Blancs from their Waverley Vineyard that perfectly express the region’s crispness, minerality, and vibrancy. Their wines have become ambassadors of Blind River’s unique style.
Watch The Art of Barker’s Marque Wines

Blind River is still a hidden gem — a small dot on Marlborough’s map. But for those who know, it’s a place of discovery. Sommeliers prize its structure and minerality for food pairings. Consumers fall in love with its freshness and authenticity. In a world where Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is everywhere, Blind River offers something different — boutique, characterful wines that speak of place. So next time you reach for a bottle, look for names like Three Brooms, ranga.ranga, The Loop and Arona. You won’t just be tasting Sauvignon Blanc — you ’ll be tasting Marlborough’s future.

May We Suggest…

If you’re curious to experience Blind River in your glass, here are a few standouts from Barker’s Marque Waverley Vineyard that capture the essence of this special place. 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