OUR WINES
From site selection and biodynamic practices through to low intervention winemaking, the ultimate aim at Churton is to produce exceptional, terroir-driven wines.
We produce organically certified wines that reflect the diversity of our individual blocks and produce wines that combine texture, complexity, flavour and length.
All wines hail from our vineyard, Churton wines undergo a slow natural fermentation before resting on lees and spending time in bottle to develop layers of flavour and enhance integration before release. Each Churton cuvee is produced with minimal French oak influence while the Natural State range, created by Ben and Jack, has no oak influence and even less intervention. There are no additions to the Natural State Wines: we merely guide the fruit to bottle for enjoying in youth.
THE CHURTON COLLECTION
We focus on just four grape varieties, which we believe are best suited to our undulating hillside vineyard with its the north-east aspect, clay soils and specific microclimate.
Our Sauvignon grapes are handpicked, whole bunch pressed and aged on lees to produce a bone dry style that offers ripe fruit flavours, balanced acidity and succulent texture.
Our Viognier fills the glass with aromas redolent of stone fruit and flowers balanced with refreshing acidity thanks to Marlborough's cool climate. We are proud to be New Zealand's main producer of Petit Manseng (with 0.55ha!). This variety, native to France's Jurançon delivers extraordinary flavours of mandarin combined with salty minerality and a clean, lingering finish.
When it comes to reds, our sole focus is Pinot Noir. The combination of clay soils, gentle handling and careful use of French oak creates a complex and structured expression. The quartet provide distinct voices.
The Single Block Collection
We make two single block wines.
The Abyss is the first block we planted in 2000. The vines grow on a beautiful east facing slope that ends abruptly: a steep cliff drops down to the Omaka River 50 metres below. The vines thrive in the clay-loess soils, providing fruit that displays intense flavour and structure while The Abyss Pinot Noir always maintains beautiful freshness thanks to the aspect, which protects it from the intense afternoon sun.
The Best End block marks a contrast to The Abyss. Sitting on the property's north-western boundary, the Sauvignon Blanc vines are exposed to the elements. The windy microclimate and eroded soils combined with Bordeaux clones, which are rarely used in Marlborough, produce an intensely flavoured Sauvignon Blanc revealing layers of rich ripe fruit within its steely frame.
These two wines demonstrate the serious nature of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Natural State Collection
Challenging the past and experimenting with tradition, using new and innovative techniques Ben and Jack created the Natural State collection. With these wines we aim to showcase our distinct vineyard through hands-off handling and winemaking, crafting wines that are ready for early release.
This Pinot Noir is a delicate wine that is fresh and offers juicy fruit that is intended to be enjoyed in its youth.
Our pied de cuve made from Sauvignon Blanc that was fermented by yeast culture created in the vineyard gives a fresh wild nature with texture and length. The Field Blend is a one-of-a-kind blend in New Zealand, and perhaps the world, blending Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Petit Manseng. The combination of aromatic fruit, acidity and structure result in an intriguing dry white wine that offers both complexity and drinkability.