This wine comes from Nelson, a region with plenty of sunshine. The palate is full of fruitiness reminiscent of the sunshine, with a strong minerality on the finish. Compared to typical Marlborough wines, it has a dry and subdued taste.

This minerality makes it perfect for pairing with seafood, such as garlic shrimp, shrimp tempura, or fried oysters.

I can really feel the minerals

Nelson, also known as "Sunny Nelson" due to its abundant sunshine, is a small port city known as a perfect producer of aromatic grape varieties, especially for white wines.

Brackenbrook, which produces this series named "Shangri-La (utopia)," is a winery that takes advantage of Nelson's rich natural environment and continues to produce high-quality wines in a way that puts as little strain on the environment as possible.

This Sauvignon Blanc has a different style from the Sauvignon Blanc from the neighboring major wine-producing region, Marlborough.

If Marlborough's most distinctive scents are grapefruit and passion fruit, then Shangri-La has a slightly sharper, greener citrus impression, like lemon or lime.

It has a firm acidity and also has a hint of asparagus that is reminiscent of Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc.

The finish is mineral, leaving a slightly dry impression in the mouth, and is quite dry compared to popular Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough.

Rather than being a wine that stands on its own, it tastes even better when paired with food.

Recommended pairings

This mineral wine is perfect with seafood dishes, such as garlic shrimp, shrimp tempura, and fried oysters.

Garlic Shrimp

Shrimp tempura

Fried oysters

About the Brackenbrook Winery

Blackenbrook is a boutique winery located in the Nelson region, on the north coast of New Zealand's South Island.

This region, also known as "Sunny Nelson," boasts abundant sunshine among New Zealand's wine-producing regions and produces highly aromatic wines.

The owner, Daniel, studied viticulture and brewing at Lincoln University, then gained experience in Austria, Germany, and France (Alsace), and in New Zealand served as wine chief at the prestigious Seyfried Winery, also in Nelson.

After that, together with his wife and partner Ursula, he spent two years searching for the perfect location before arriving at his current location.

At Brackenbrook, the fruit is carefully grown in sustainable vineyards and vinified in a winery designed to make the most of the gravity flow system (a method in which the wine is moved entirely by natural gravity during the vinification process).

Also, pay attention to the label. This art series, called "Shangri-La," features an artist's landscape painting of Nelson.

This is a distinctive label that is unique to Nelson, a city famous for its art scene, with cafes and galleries scattered throughout the city.

About Nelson

Nelson is located in the northern part of the South Island and is affectionately known as "Sunny Nelson" due to the extremely long hours of sunshine it enjoys throughout the year.

This relatively small wine-producing region is mostly made up of small wineries known as boutique wineries.

Taking advantage of the abundant sunshine, aromatic white wines such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Gris are mainly produced. Pinot Noir, with its robust fruit flavor, is popular among red wines. Nelson is also famous for its hops and fruit production.

Shangri-La Sauvignon Blanc 2024