Garde & Morris Organic Marlborough Rosé 2025

Elegant and Delicate Pinot Rosé

【Exclusively Imported by Bokumo Wine】

Our top-recommended dry rosé. It offers the berry character typical of Pinot, along with the fruitiness of red-fleshed melon and a subtle, pleasant bitterness. It is beautifully balanced.

Not too rich. Not too light. It has just enough pleasant bitterness, with almost no sweetness lingering on the palate. This makes it exceptionally food-friendly. Personally, it’s a wine I’d love to drink every week!

About the Vineyard

The grapes used in this rosé come from a single vineyard (the Westbrook block) on a flat site nestled between the Marlborough subregions of Southern Valley and Brancott Valley.

Planted in 1997, these vines are 28 years old as of 2025. The soil has a complex composition of clay loam with river gravel and silt mixed in the lower layers.

Organic farming practices minimize the use of pesticides and chemicals, naturally limiting yields while maintaining vine health and concentrating flavor and complexity in the fruit. It is Biogro and Sustainable certified.

About the Winemaking

Harvested on March 21, 2025, from dusk through early morning when temperatures were cool. This was done to maintain optimal ripeness and acidity balance.

Free run juice and press juice are processed separately. After up to five days of cold settling, the wine ferments slowly and coolly in stainless steel tanks and French oak puncheons. It is then aged slowly with the lees before bottling at the end of 2025.

No unnecessary interventions. Good grapes, simply made.

Tasting Notes

Pale salmon pink.

Pouring it into a glass reveals refreshing aromas of raspberry, apricot, red-fleshed melon, and lemon zest.

On the palate, it offers pure fruit flavors and a smooth texture. Vibrant acidity provides balance, followed by a subtle, pleasant bitterness on the finish. With 3 g/L of residual sugar, it is a crisp, dry wine with almost no perceptible sweetness.

Rated 94 points (5 stars) by WineOrbit’s Sam Kim.

Pairing

It pairs well with a wide range of dishes, but is particularly outstanding with Chinese cuisine. We actually brought this wine to a Chinese restaurant to test its pairings and found it matched perfectly with every dish: stir-fried green vegetables and pork, shrimp shumai, fried gizzard shad, and spiced lamb skewers. It is incredibly versatile!

• Chili Shrimp (The sweet and spicy sauce pairs beautifully with the wine’s fruitiness)
• Pepper Steak with Green Peppers (The bitterness of the green peppers harmonizes with the wine’s bitterness)
• Spiced Lamb Skewers (The aroma of the spices complements the wine’s freshness)

About the Winery “Gardo & Morris”

A family-run boutique winery founded by Ben Morris and Frida Gardo. It has the unique setup of producing wine at two locations: New Zealand and Sweden. Their handcrafted wines are highly regarded at upscale restaurants and state-run liquor stores in Sweden.

Founding Background and History

Winemaking director Ben Morris was born in New Zealand and studied organic winemaking at Lincoln University. After graduating, he gained experience as a “flying winemaker” in France and California before moving to Sweden with his wife, Frida, in 2006 and launching his own brand.

Frida, who is Swedish, leads sales and distribution in the Swedish market. The winery’s name, “Gardo,” comes from her surname and represents the partnership between the two.

Viticulture and Winemaking Philosophy

In viticulture, they partner with small, excellent grape growers across New Zealand and cultivate grapes using a natural approach that minimizes the use of pesticides and chemicals.

In winemaking, they focus on a natural approach with minimal intervention to bring out the full character of the terroir and grape varieties.

Sustainability and Cultural Background

Environmental consideration and sustainable production are core values of Gardo & Morris.

By strictly adhering to organic farming practices and eliminating unnecessary additives during winemaking, they produce high-quality wine while reducing their environmental impact.

This winery, founded by New Zealander Ben and Swede Frida, truly serves as a bridge between the two countries.

Blending the best of both cultures, their wines pair beautifully with traditional Swedish cuisine and are highly regarded by local restaurants.

 About the Marlborough Region

“Marlborough” is the heart of New Zealand’s wine region.

With abundant sunshine and significant temperature fluctuations throughout the day, it offers ideal natural conditions for growing grapes. More than 80% of New Zealand’s wine is produced in Marlborough.

Among its varieties, Sauvignon Blanc—known for its crisp acidity and abundant fruit flavors—is grown in overwhelming quantities and is loved worldwide for its unique character. Pinot Noir is also popular, prized for its rich berry fruit flavors.

Gardo & Morris Organic Marlborough Rosé 2025