Auntsfield Estate is Marlborough’s oldest vineyard site — a pioneering location first planted in 1873, where heritage, geology, and a quiet pursuit of excellence shape wines of structure and site transparency. Revived in the late 20th century by the Cowley family, Auntsfield is now led by brothers Luc and Ben Cowley, who have taken this historic land and developed it into a modern estate of profound character. Here, in the southern foothills of the Wairau Valley, winemaking is a reflection of detail, not volume — wines built not to follow, but to anchor.

The estate vineyard lies on ancient Greywacke rock and Loess-clay soils, with north-facing slopes that benefit from long sun exposure and cool nights. These soils, among the oldest in Marlborough, yield fruit of natural concentration, tension, and mineral depth. Farming is rooted in sustainability and precision — every block is managed individually, with low yields and hand harvesting ensuring that each varietal speaks with its own quiet integrity.

Winemaking is thoughtful and measured. Sauvignon Blanc is fermented in stainless steel with select portions seeing time in old oak and on lees for added dimension. Chardonnay is whole-bunch pressed, wild-fermented in French oak, and aged on lees to build richness without sacrificing structure. Pinot Noir is hand-sorted, wild-fermented in small open vats, and aged in a restrained mix of French oak to preserve its elegance and savoury detail. Every wine is crafted with a clear sense of vineyard lineage and purpose.

The wines are textural, mineral, and poised. Sauvignon Blanc is layered — citrus zest, white stone fruit, and a chalky, flinty edge with remarkable length. Chardonnay is quietly powerful, with stone fruit, almond, and fine salinity over a structured frame. Pinot Noir offers red cherry, wild thyme, and subtle earth — finely grained and grounded in the cool, clay-bound slopes. Across the range, the wines reflect not Marlborough’s broader voice, but one sharply tuned to site, slope, and soil.

What defines Auntsfield Estate is its sense of origin — not only as Marlborough’s first vineyard, but as one of its most quietly confident.

These are wines shaped by history and held by place — thoughtful, composed, and anchored in the stillness of time and terroir.