Kerner Estate Vineyard

The confluence wines come from the Kerner Estate vineyard, a small family-run organic vineyard which surrounds the Kerners house in Fareham Lane, Marlborough. A gifted site nestled at the confluence of the Wairau and Waihopai Rivers at the western end of the Wairau Valley. Its dense soils providing length and concentration, and cooler temperatures provided by the slightly elevated geographical position and being some distance from the sea, allowing the grapes ripen to slower, intensifying and protecting lifted and fresh aromatics.

The Kerners have just over 10 ha of land of which over 8 ha are in grapes, all cultivated within a biological framework of ecological agriculture and certified organic.  The vineyard is planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, the remainder to Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. It’s the latter variety that has taken connoisseurs by surprise. There is not a lot of Pinot Blanc planted in Marlborough, or NZ for that matter, with only 27Ha planted nationally. Planted as something different to trial, their Pinot Blanc has become one of a few examples in the country, desired by a small number of keen aficionados, winemakers included.