Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"Fruit from the Wrekin vineyard has been an important component of my Marlborough Chardonnay for over a decade. This site is situated within a larger area known as the Southern Valleys, in the clay southern hills of the Wairau Valley. The clay soils are good for water-retention and contribute to the textural mouthfeel.
The chardonnay at the Wrekin vineyard is on a very sunny, northern-facing slope, where the Wrekin valley meets the Fairhall valley. This block was established under organic principles. The fruit was hand-picked, whole cluster pressed, and fermented in barrel with high solids. The wine underwent natural malolactic fermentation as it aged in French oak puncheons. This wine has considerable influence from aging on lees with frequent bâtonnage. Maturation in larger format puncheons slows down the maturation, allowing for a tighter wine with greater potential for aging. I have also found the deeper sediment of lees in the puncheon to produce a greater autolytic influence.
Aromas of apricot, honeysuckle and hazelnut meal with a pronounced autolytic character and some vanilla from the oak. Bright lemon juice, yellow-fleshed nectarine and beurre bosc pear on the palate, with fresh butter flavours and an oily finish."
Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, April 2022 (2020 Vintage)
"Aromas and flavours of citrus and peach, baked apple and tangerine, a vanilla custard creamy quality and core of pure fruit with floral overtones. There’s a mineral quality than emerges as the wine opens up in glass along with a hint of white smoke from the oak. On the palate – a dry wine with a youthful acid line, flavours that mirror the bouquet and a fine oak and leesy quality. Youthful still so needs some cellar time with best drinking from late 2023 trough 2030."
4 Stars Michael Cooper (2020 Vintage)
"Certified organic, the elegant, restrained 2020 vintage was grown in the Wrekin Vineyard, in the Southern Valleys. Hand-harvested and fermented and matured for nine months in French oak puncheons and barriques, it is bright, light lemon/green, with vibrant, citrusy, slightly peachy flavours, a restrained oak influence, savoury notes adding complexity, fresh, balanced acidity and a dry finish. A gentle wine, it's well worth cellaring."
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Astrolabe crafts wines that epitomise focus, purity, and balance, capturing the full intensity of Marlborough's landscape and climate. Jane Forrest-Waghorn shares that their family’s wine journey spans multiple regions, with daughters Libby and Arabella now joining the Marlborough-based winery. Living in a century-old house on their vineyard, they emphasise sustainable practices and family involvement, ensuring uncompromising quality.
All grapes come from ten families dedicated to sustainable farming, some relationships extending over two decades. These growers understand the land’s rhythms, with vineyards selected for their unique flavours across Marlborough’s sub-regions. Winemaker Simon Waghorn, with four decades of experience, has set a benchmark for sauvignon blanc. His meticulous approach defines Astrolabe wines as focused, balanced, and elegant.
Named after an ancient navigation tool, Astrolabe symbolises exploration and discovery, reflecting Marlborough’s history. Committed to sustainability, their operations are certified by Sustainable Winegrowing NZ, and their organic vineyards are certified by BioGro New Zealand.
Astrolabe is also certified net carbon zero through Toitū, continually working on reduction measures and offsetting to maintain carbon neutrality. As a founding member of Appellation Marlborough Wine, Astrolabe ensures their wines are of genuine Marlborough provenance, marked by the AMW icon.
Contact
Address: 2 Horton Street, Blenheim
Marlborough, New Zealand
Thank you Vino Fino Team, Thank you so much for your help with the drinks for our wedding day! We couldn’t have been happier with the service from Vino Fino supplying us with a Chiller Trailer to use on the day! You made getting the wine for our wedding easy and fun. It was low stress, and we truly appreciated being able to bring back the unopened wine. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to our friends and family. We’re so grateful!
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10/12/2024
I love this store. The staff are so helpful and have broadened my experience, introducing me to some wonderful new wines. I only wish I lived closer so I could get to tasting evenings regularly!
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18/10/2024
Great selection of wines, Friendly staff, well supported the choice.
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14/06/2024
Fabulous selection of wines and very helpful and knowledgeable staff. It is a pleasure to visit Vino Fino and buy my wine from there.
David Pigou
07/06/2024
My favourite European wine store in Christchurch
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31/05/2024
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31/05/2024
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Hannah Zhang
25/05/2024
Have a wide selection which meant the particular bottle I was after was in stock which means a win for Mother's day
breilly72
09/05/2024
Simply the fastest service I’ve ever received. Amazing. Fabulous price too. Cant recommend highly enough.
Alli J
10/04/2024
All the way in Christchurch, but occasionally order from this store as it has wines I like that I can't source elsewhere, at a great price too. Always great service, and will keep using them.
Roger Parker
08/01/2024
Awesome selection of wines, lots of great beers, plus gin, whisky and more to boot. Great staff who can point you in the right direction to satisfy your needs.
Sam Coochey
03/01/2024
Great range and knowledgeable staff
Paul Bonini
02/01/2024
I had been searching for a very specific wine and I finally found it here. Not only did they have the wine I was searching for, they had a beautiful collection of other wines. If you are a wine lover, be sure to check out Vino Fino. The staff were very knowledgeable on the types of wine and the wine makers. I will be coming back again for sure.
Mere Pokai
02/01/2024
Whilst they don't have any serious competition they do stock some great wines and their specials often are just that!
Gary Downey
02/01/2024
Great selection of wines and helpful staff
Brian Kirkup
24/12/2023
A wine lover’s haven.
Antarctic Apes
17/12/2023
Best wine shop. Staff very knowledgeable and helpful. Lots of wines from around the world. The website is very good and informative too.
Clare Bray
06/12/2023
Don't look anywhere else as this is the best value, best service, and most experienced wine shop in town.
Steve Morgan
18/11/2023
Looked fantastic great choice's
Dave Innes
06/09/2023
Best wine store in chch by a country mile
Mark Elliott
08/08/2023
They are so helpful when you are trying to find a particular type of wine. Easy parking and great service. Will be back again 😁
Debbie Baker
01/08/2023
Been a longtime customer here. Great range with reasonable prices. Free delivery over $150 if order online which is even better. Keep an eye on their deal and usually you can find some really great deals
Arata Nakaii
25/07/2023
Possibly the best wine shop in New Zealand. I've been coming here for 11+ years. Excellent, interesting wines at a range of price points; friendly, personal and knowledgeable service. If the wall of Sauv Blanc, Pinot Gris, Shiraz and Pinot Noir at the supermarket doesn't do it for you, you need to sign up for Vino Fino's email. They work hard to get sharp prices on very good wines.
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25/07/2023
Great selection service and prices.
Colin Windleborn
03/07/2023
Good range
Alistair Dimond
26/06/2023
치치에서 다양한나라의와인을 구할수있는곳 6병이상 무료배송도 좋음
윤정석
22/04/2023
Fantastic selection and the knowledge these guys have is incredible... they've earned my trust 100 % and never let me down.
Brian Burgess
03/03/2023
An amazing selection of wine from pretty much all over the planet! Price are decent too and for sure if you are good at spotting the right wine can get some amazing wines to a more than fair price! Parking is a bit of an issue but worst come to worst can park at the south city carpark and walk 100m!
Domenico Sclofani
18/01/2023
Great selection and great staff.
jeanne henderson
22/12/2022
Absolutely recommend the place, great prices, easy website and delivery same day.
Merry Christmas
Yael Yardeni
10/12/2022
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