Blog

Originally from Zimbabwe and raised in Auckland, Harry Watson moved to Marlborough from Waiheke Island when Adam McCone recruited him to join the Spy Valley Viticulture Team. McCone commented: “Joining the Spy team at the Johnson Estate Vineyards gives you the opportunity to work with vines as old as 30 years, plant new vines, and work with varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. The estate focuses on practicing sustainable wine growing and caring for the land. It's a great opportunity for a young 21-year-old looking to grow a career in viticulture."  And just...

Elevate Your Movie Night with Perfect Pairings Movie nights are more than just a way to unwind; they’re an opportunity to immerse yourself in different worlds, emotions, and stories. But what if you could take this experience to the next level? By pairing your films with the perfect wines, you can create a sensory journey. Spy Valley, with its diverse and exquisite range of wines, offers the ideal companions for your cinematic adventures. Whether you're gearing up for a thrilling spy drama, a heartwarming comedy, or an epic fantasy, Spy Valley has the perfect wine to match the mood. Here’s...

Wine of the Week: 2022 Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough ($18) — There may be a dozen New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs that are $2 cheaper than this, but for the last decade it has been as reliable as any. It has the appropriate lime and gooseberry aromatics, but it has fruit components in the aftertaste that are unlikely to be found in cheaper versions. I happily spend an extra couple of dollars for this one. Read Full Article here

The intriguing story of Spy Valley Wines came about when the Johnson family bought Timara Lodge in the Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, in the early ‘90s. Not the sort of place that you just stumble across, Waihopai Valley runs north to south, at the southern end of the Wairau Valley, and also has the curious honour of being home to the international satellite communication station — the GCSB ‘Spy Base’. The Lodge came with a bit of land, and while the puzzle was what to do with it, by the early ‘90s, Sauvignon Blanc and vineyards were cropping up across the...