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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...

FOOD AND togetherness are the key ingredients in Spy Valley’s ever-evolving programme of wellness activities. Winners of the 2023 Marlborough Wine Industry Workplace Wellbeing Impact Award, the team at Spy Valley have kept up the momentum over the past 12 months. Spring Pizza Lunch, Monthly Morning Tea, Fish and Chip Fridays, Coffee from around the World and an end-of harvest Mexican feast have all been on the menu. “Food is a good way to show you care for people and appreciate what they do,” says Spy Valley managing director Amanda Johnson. “Times have been tough for a lot of people...

Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis' choice of a New Zealand wine for salsa and guacamole should come as no surprise to aficionados, as the country is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the varietal. Although the grape is famously grown in France and California, Kiwis have been reliably producing bright, crispy, and aromatic wines that go great with the appetizer spread. This prowess is in part due to the country's climate, where cool nights, high doses of sunlight, and a long growing season help encourage the cultivation of the grapes.Often described as sharp and acidic, Sauvignon Blancs from...