The last couple of months at Sugar Loaf have been a proper whirlwind, in the best way — between a really good run of reviews and awards, some great momentum behind the scenes, and a couple of big events that reminded us why we love getting out there and sharing the wines with people. We recently had boots on the ground at ProWine Shanghai, and it was epic. Joe was over there showcasing the best of Sugar Loaf and Orchard Lane to a huge crowd, with over 20,000 attendees — pouring wines, meeting plenty of trade and wine lovers, and flying the Marlborough flag alongside some amazing wineries at the NZ Winegrowers stand. It was honestly awesome to see...
After winning Double Gold, our 2025 Sugar Loaf Riesling has gone one better — taking out Trophy Riesling at the New Zealand International Wine Show!
Kate and Dave took the stage in Auckland last night to accept the award — a proud moment for the team — before celebrating with a well-earned glass (of Riesling, of course).
Here’s what the judges had to say about our Riesling:
Trophy for Champion RieslingSugar Loaf Riesling 2025, MarlboroughNectarine and lime blossom, underpinned by a tint of wet slate. On the palate dances zesty citrus and ripe orchard fruit, with a crystalline acidity that gives it electric precision. A subtle note of honeysuckle adds a graceful, almost ethereal sweetness.
2025 asked us to take a deep breath, wait, and trust the vines—and wow, did they deliver. After a textbook spring bloom that promised a bumper crop, December and January dialled back the heat. Those cooler spells slowed everything to a crawl, but with the frost fan humming at Papillon we kept the canopy pristine and the fruit safe. The payoff came in March. We kicked off on the 14 th with Rosé fruit, snuck the Pinot Noir and other aromatics off in tidy little bites, and finally wrapped on 5 April when the last rows of Sauvignon decided they’d had enough. The generous pauses between picks gave us time to scrub gear, stay organised, and even fire up the BBQ for some...
Harvest, Vintage Tastings & Rave Reviews The hum of harvest is back, and the winery is alive with the energy of the season. Our Rosé, Pinot Noir, and the first blocks of Sauvignon Blanc are in, and the fruit is looking incredible. The long days and late nights have begun, but there’s nothing quite like the anticipation of a new vintage—the moment when months of work in the vineyard finally come to life. Pinot Noir Through the Years: A Vintage Tasting Before the chaos of harvest, we took a rare opportunity to step back and taste six consecutive vintages of our Pinot Noir, from 2019 to 2024. Each glass was a time capsule, capturing the nuances of each growing season....
Introducing the 2023 ‘Otto’ Syrah: A Labour of Love We’re excited to unveil the 2023 ‘Otto’ Syrah, a wine that reflects the passion and dedication of our winemaking team. Named for Kate’s second child, Otto, this small-batch Syrah is a true testament to the art of winemaking, from vineyard to bottle. Sourced from a small planting on our Sugar Loaf Estate block, the 2023 ‘Otto’ Syrah was crafted with care and attention to every detail. The vintage benefited from perfect growing conditions—balanced warmth and sunlight that imparted rich flavors while preserving freshness. The grapes were harvested at the ideal sugar levels in late March, then fermented in an open-top cuvée for three weeks before being gently hand-pressed into French oak...
