Stoneleigh Latitude - The Award-Winning Wines from Marlborough's Golden Mile

Hailing completely from the aptly named 'Golden Mile' in the South Island's Marlborough region, Stoneleigh Latitude wines are pretty close in taste to liquid gold (metaphorically speaking). For those who googled 'Golden Mile' to utter dismay, the region isn't on any official topographic map - but rather a nickname which developed amongst locals due to the area's unique strip of fertile land which is covered with smooth stones left by a riverbed - as well as its high sunshine hours and crisp, coastal climate. Outstanding grape growing conditions, in short.

The riverbed stones are special in the way they conduct heat to budding soon-to-be-wine grapes. While also providing perfect and free drainage, the stones spend the day soaking up the warmth of the sun’s rays and then radiate that heat – helping ripen the grapes by night. Due to this unique ripening process, grapes from this region have vibrant, lifted aromas, leading to a distinct crispness and freshness about them. Some like to call wines from this region elegant, and we couldn't agree more -  the adjective is a more than apt description of the wines in the Stoneleigh Latitude series. “The winemaking and viticulture team at Stoneleigh have taken great care to ensure the terroir of the ‘Golden Mile’ is expressed and reflected at its very best through the Stoneleigh Latitude wines.” Stoneleigh Winemaker, Jamie Marfell (below) passionately asserts.

The distinctive Marlborough sub-appellation-based series is an internationally recognised range which has garnered many an award as well as being internationally recognised.

Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc 2013 won gold medals at five international wine competitions - including San Francisco International Wine Competition and Critics Challenge International Wine Competition and the New Zealand Unoaked Sauvignon Blanc Trophy at the 2014 International Wine Challenge. The Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc 2014 won gold at both the NZ International Wine Show 2014 and Easter Show Wine Awards 2015, and was awarded the Champion Sauvignon Blanc Trophy at the Marlborough Wine Show 2014.

Just like perfume, each Stoneleigh wine has its own blend of aromas which Marfell explains below.

Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc

The Sauvignon Blanc is a mix of "citrus blossom and fresh pineapple, which lead into a rich tropical palate with honeydew melon, pineapple, grapefruit zest and a flinty minerality that lingers."

Stoneleigh Latitude Pinot Gris

The Pinot Gris "shows ginger and spice on the nose, but with pear and melon apparent on the palate.”

Stoneleigh Latitude Chardonnay

The Chardonnay "expresses clove and spice, coupled with integrated toasty oak aromas, while the taste profile is rich with apricot, white-fleshed nectarine and underlying citrus notes."

Stoneleigh Latitude Pinot Noir

The only red in the range, the Pinot Noir "displays spicy liquorice mocha and toasty oak aromas. Dark fruit and blackberry flavours within a seductive structure leave a fine, silky finish.”

With something so special you'd expect to make quite the pilgrimage to find it, but fortunately for us New Zealanders Stoneleigh Latitude wines are available nationwide from major grocery, retail and on-premise outlets.

And while you are at it, you can also sample some of Stoneleigh's best at the Stoneleigh Pop-Up Bar in the Volvo Ocean Race Village. Click here for details.