Stoneleigh Wild Valley Wines

Stoneleigh has launched their Wild Valley range, a duo of wines consisting of wild-fermented 2015 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and a 2014 Marlborough Pinot Noir.

Stoneleigh Wild Valley Wines

The fermentation takes place by indigenous yeasts from the Rapaura sub-region of Marlborough giving the wines added texture and enhancing flavour. Wild fermentation refers to when the juice from the grapes is fermented using yeast that is already present on the grapes when harvested. The process is slower which allows the wine to develop texture along with more complex flavours.

Winemaker Jamie Marfell

At the launch event, Winemaker Jamie Marfell led a comparative tasting of the classic Sauvignon Blanc and Pino Noir against the new Wild Valley range.

The 2015 Stoneleigh Wild Valley Sauvignon Blanc has subdued aromas of passion fruit and grapefruit with a slight funkiness on the nose. The palate is more textural, drier with extra layers of complexity and citrus coming through on the finish. This is a wine that would challenge your opinion of Sauvignon Blanc and makes a refreshing change from many other styles on the market.

Launch Dinner at the Morrison

The 2014 Stoneleigh Wild Valley Pinot Noir has aromas of berries and spice and explodes with flavour at the front of the palate. Bursts of red berries, peppery spice with a clove finish make this medium-bodied wine a sipper and its savoury and textural elements make it one that complements a variety of food.

Petuna Ocean Trout

For the launch, guests went of a foraging trip with Diego Bonetto and brought back roduce used in a three course dinner by Chef Sean Connolly of The Morrison. Entree was a beautifully cooked Petuna Ocean Trout with Citrus Dressing and Wild Fennel Fronds which paired well with the crisp citrus notes of the Wild Valley Sauvignon Blanc.

Wild Harvest Risotto

Next was the Wild Harvest Risotto with Onion Weed and Rambling Dock, creamy textural and full of flavour from the wild herbs complemented by the medium-bodied wine with hints of peppery spice on the finish.

Doughnut Holes