Loveblock

We have been in the wine industry for a long time, and are now on our second major project, the one that owns our hearts and souls.

Our roots are firmly planted in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, where we were amongst the first to plant grapes in the area. Then, in 2008, we made the decision to convert existing vineyards and farmland to organics, and Loveblock was born.

Loveblock represents my long-term vision to produce wines from organic and sustainably grown grapes that express their naked sense of place. It is a privilege to be able to truly live one's values – Loveblock embodies my journey to organics.

We gained BioGro NZ organic certification in February 2012. As grape growers and tillers of the land, we believe that we are its custodians, nurturing it and managing soil balance and fertility without outside interference. We grow grapes and make wine by minimal input, chemical intervention and manipulation as directed by organic standards – but it is not just about growing grapes... At Loveblock it is about creating a sustainable, biological, and environmental system allowing the grapes to flourish.

“Treading lightly” is at the centre of our sustainable approach and philosophy, and we have put this ethos into action by implementing the below initiatives:

· Planting trees and hemp to provide biodiversity and robust soil biota.

· Soil regeneration using cover crops.

· Sequestering carbon with organic soil work.

· Waste management by making compost from farm products such as pruning waste, grape skins etc.

· Generating electricity with solar energy.

· Making the change to lighter glass bottles.

· Wetland rehabilitation.

The largest part of the property is certified organic grazing land, where we keep cattle and sheep. We make our own compost to fertilise the grapes and do not use chemical herbicides, pesticides or fertilisers. The large vegetable garden feeds those who work on Loveblock Farm – our staff, the guy who fixes the tractor, the line maintenance people and so on – we believe in community and sharing the bounty of the land.

Sauvignon Blanc is our signature varietal, and like signatures, it comes in different forms and styles. At Loveblock, the style is more hesitant on the nose, then gallops to layers of interesting texture and flavours prancing on the palate.

In 2020, we incorporated the use of alternate vessels for the first time – concrete eggs, amphorae and barrels (as well as and stainless-steel tanks). The grapes fermented in these vessels on wild yeast, and fluid dynamics drew maximum benefit from continuous lees contact in the non-barrel vessels. These vessels have imparted a gorgeous texture and mouthfeel to the wine, and we are looking to use these vessels on some of our other wine varietals soon!

The innovation does not stop there though… Loveblock TEE Sauvignon Blanc is thought to be the first in the world to use green tea tannin extract as a natural preservative in replacement of sulphur. That means absolutely zero added sulphur or sulphites.

All our wines are vegan friendly, something our daughter, Pia (a long-term vegan) inspired us to do.

We hope you like the wine – it was grown with love and made with care.