Dog Point Vineyard is one of the oldest privately established vineyards in Marlborough. Established in 2002 by partners, Ivan & Margaret Sutherland, and James & Wendy Healy. After working together at Cloudy Bay, Ivan and James decided to return to a more hands-on approach and establish their own wine label. Dog Point Vineyard is located at the confluence of the Brancott and Omaka Valleys in Marlborough, New Zealand’s premium wine growing region. The name “Dog Point” dates from earliest European settlement of Marlborough, an area where shepherd’s dogs either wandered off or became lost eventually breeding to form a marauding pack that attacked the same flocks they were meant to be protecting. Over time the settlers were able to remove these wild dogs and the area was named Dog Point. Dog Point Vineyard produces four wines including a sauvignon blanc typical of the Marlborough style, plus three barrel fermented wines using natural (wild) yeasts including a sauvignon blanc aged and fermented in older French oak barrels (Section 94), a chardonnay and a pinot noir. All fruit is hand-picked from low cropped vines. Wines are made to drink well on release or cellar gracefully for many years. Dog Point Vineyard and winery are certified organic under the Biogro New Zealand programme, which is an independent certification process established to promote environmentally friendly, sustainable and responsible practices. The Dog Point property comprises of undulating terrain, clay loam soils and a desirable northerly aspect. Dog Point’s white wines are mostly planted on free draining silty clay loams on the flats, soils that predominantly express citrus and grapefruit flavours. Fruit from the hillside blocks have a dominant clay influence and add to the interest of the Chardonnay blend. Clay loam on gentle, closely planted hill slopes are ideally suited to Pinot Noir. These soils express cherry, plum and earthy characters. The wines reflect the considerable experience and passion of the people that make them. Ivan and James are part of a group of key industry people who have launched an initiative called Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW). The aim of the initiative is to protect the integrity, authenticity and brand value of wines produced in Marlborough. For more information on Appellation Marlborough go to www.appellationmarlboroughwine.co.nz