Dog Point - Chardonnay

Marlborough is blessed with one of the sunniest and driest climates in New Zealand. With easterly sea breezes and a long autumn, this region provides the perfect conditions for long slow ripening fruit. Home to New Zealand’s best Sauvignon Blanc and home to Dog Point.

Ivan Sutherland and James Healy, the former chief viticulturist and head winemaker of Cloudy Bay, began Dog point in 2002. As owners they have an incredible hands on approach to their wines - from in the vineyard, handpicking the grapes, to carrying out all the winery work. They apply old world philosophies and new world technology to produce wines true to their region.

“Our philosophy is to produce regionally distinctive wines that will drink well now and age gracefully for many years.” James Healy, Winemaker

Interview with Ivan Sutherland, Owner 

What has been the most important moment in the history of Dog Point Vineyards?

It has to be when we decided to make wine under our own label in 2002.  The vineyard was already there as Dog Point.

What is you favourite food pairing with Section 94?

Enjoyed with a huge range of cuisine........seafood, Asian dishes, white meats, pasta. Most memorable probably an entrée with lunch that had fresh asparagus picked that morning infused with goats cheese matched to 2008 Section 94.

Marlborough is New Zealand’s largest wine growing region. It has an enviable international reputation for producing the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world. It also makes very good Chardonnay, Riesling and high quality Pinot Noir.

At over twenty thousand hectares of grapes the region accounts for approximately 2/3 of New Zealand’s wine plantings, of which Sauvignon Blanc vines dominate. Lots of sun, cool nights, low autumn rains and free draining alluvial soils combine to make Marlborough one of the world’s great wine producing regions