Winery notes (2019 Vintage)
"2019 Gravestone has a subtleness to it, slowly revealing a discreet nose of lemon blossom, white peach, elderflower and oyster shell, a medium bodied wine of texture with tingling acidity with mere hints of the barrel fermentation. This is a blended white wine that oozes sophistication with a touch of lime, fresh pear, honeysuckle and a hint of orange marmalade leading towards a persistent succulent finish. Dripping with class this is a landmark cerebral wine made with immense pride.
Our Sauvignon blanc and Semillon vineyards are all dry farmed and low yielding and are hand harvested off a number of volcanic influenced hilltop sites. The Sauvignon blanc is macerated and pressed to tank before the cloudy juice starts a spontaneous fermentation and is transferred to French Oak Puncheons, including the use small portion of Acacia wood, to ferment. The Semillon is gently pressed and clarified in tank before fermentation with a cultured yeast in old Puncheons, following fermentation the wines stayed on gross lees in Puncheon for 6 months before being blended to tank for bottling. Gravestone 2019 is a blend of 78% Sauvignon blanc and 22% Semillon."
Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, July 2022 (2019 Vintage)
"The combination aromas of SB and Sem are incredibly enticing teasing the senses with exotic fruits and and waxy citrus, wild white flowers and pith, dried and fresh herbs and a tease of spice. A satin cream texture touches the palate for a moment before the acidity of youth power through the palate. Flavours of citrus with orange and lemon then apple and some tropical fruit moments, a fine mineral layer and lengthy youthful finish. Great drinking from toasy and through 2029+."
5 Stars Michael Cooper (2019 Vintage)
"Drinking well now, the 2019 vintage is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (78 per cent) and Sémillon (22 per cent), estate-grown on Waiheke Island and fermented and lees-aged for six months in French oak puncheons. Fragrant and full-bodied, it has ripe, tropical fruit flavours, strong and vigorous, with slightly toasty notes adding complexity and a dry, well-rounded finish."