There’s nothing that marks a Marlborough celebration quite like a whitebait fritter and a glass of chilled crisp Sauvignon Blanc. This morning, en route on their nationwide America’s Cup victory tour, a few of the Emirates Team New Zealand crew took some quiet time out and popped into our Mud House home, The Woolshed, in Marlborough.

For more than ten years now Mud House has been the Official Wine Supplier for Emirates Team New Zealand. It’s been awesome.

Up at The Woolshed, nestled in the lower Wairau Valley, the mighty Richmond Ranges framed the backdrop as we shared a taste of 2017 Mud House Single Vineyard Woolshed Sauvignon Blanc with some whitebait fritters – (whitebait from the local Opawa River no less), and chatted with the crew about their adventure and victory at Bermuda, and what it felt like to lift the ‘auld mug’ The America’s Cup, once again.

During the journey of our relationship with Emirates Team New Zealand, Mud House Woolshed Vineyard Manager Nev Gane has nurtured these Sauvignon Blanc vines through 11 vintages and all three America’s Cup challenges; Valencia, San Francisco, and Bermuda. He planted the first grapes on this site in 2002.

With his big grin and effortless enthusiasm for the soils in which they are planted, it’s pretty obvious Nev has a natural knack and flare for these vines, year in year out producing Sauvignon Blanc that bursts classic herbaceous characters created from this pocket of Marlborough.

Each year around March the grapes reach optimum ripeness, the acids and sugars are in harmony, and they’re ready to be harvested; a slightly lighter crop this year ensured great purity and flavour.

“Great attention to detail from our viticulture, harvesting and winemaking teams meant the fruit that rolled into the winery boasted great flavour and texture,” said Nev.
Mud House General Manager Jack Glover has thoroughly enjoyed this journey with Emirates Team New Zealand, at the helm as the Official Wine Supplier throughout the three major victories, and all the magic that happened in-between.

“We’re just so proud of the Team, it’s been an honour to play a small part in their achievements,” said Jack.
So let’s all raise a glass of 2017 Mud House Single Vineyard Woolshed Sauvignon Blanc, for Emirates Team New Zealand bringing home the auld mug from Bermuda.

2017 Mud House Single Vineyard Woolshed Sauvignon Blanc RP $22.99 ALC VOL 12.5%
SILVER MEDAL – NEW WORLD WINE AWARDS 2017
SILVER MEDAL – MARLBOROUGH WINE AWARDS 2017
SILVER MEDAL – IWSC 2017
GOLD / FIVE STARS – DISH MAGAZINE SAUVIGNON BLANC TASTING PANEL 2017