Catalina Sounds Takes Inaugural Champion Alternate Sauvignon Blanc Award

Catalina Sounds has taken the trophy for Champion Alternate Sauvignon Blanc with their single vineyard Sound of White ‘Barrel Fermented’ Sauvignon Blanc 2019 at the 2021 Marlborough Wine Show.

In its inaugural year, the WineWorks Alternate Sauvignon Blanc class was introduced to the show as a way of recognising alternate styles of Marlborough’s flagship variety.

Catalina Sounds Winemaker Matthew Ward was thrilled, along with his team, to take the trophy in its first year.

“It’s an incredible accomplishment to win the trophy in its first year, and for the industry to recognise alternate styles of Sauvignon Blanc,” he says.

The class was open to alternate styles which encompass any or all of the following techniques; the use of oak, malolactic fermentation, extended lees contact, indigenous yeast or skin contact.

It attracted 18 entries this year, with the trophy awarded to the highest pointed gold-medal winning wine in the class, from any vintage.

“We are absolutely stoked to have won the award and be part of an incredible line up of wines in the alternative category,” Matthew says.

In its third vintage, the 2019 Sound of White Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc was made using hand-picked fruit from a single block, where yields are intentionally kept low to maintain fruit quality, concentration and ripe flavours.

The fruit is treated gently in the winery, whole bunch pressed to tank, without additions for just 24 hours before being transferred to 500 litre French oak puncheons, undergoing an indigenous fermentation, where it stays for around 10 months on lees. 

WineWorks General Manager Damien Gillman says sponsoring this award was fitting, as packaging and processing  sauvignon blanc accounts for more than 80% of the company’s work each year.

“Supporting both the alternate style and current vintage is an acknowledgement of the innovation and experience that goes into creating both category wine types.

We’re proud to sponsor our local wine show as part of our commitment to the NZ wine industry,” he says.