{"title":"Marlborough Riesling","description":"\u003cp\u003eMarlborough built its reputation on Sauvignon Blanc, but the region's Riesling deserves just as much attention, benefiting from the same long, cool ripening season that gives the region's white wines their signature intensity. Styles here range from dry to off-dry, with the variety's naturally high acidity keeping even the riper examples feeling fresh and food-friendly. It's a useful point of comparison if you're used to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/marlborough-sauvignon-blanc\"\u003eMarlborough Sauvignon Blanc\u003c\/a\u003e and want to see how the region handles a different variety, or if you already know \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/north-canterbury-wine\"\u003eNorth Canterbury\u003c\/a\u003e's Riesling and want to compare regional styles side by side. For Riesling more broadly, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/riesling\"\u003eRiesling\u003c\/a\u003e covers examples from every region we carry, including its German homeland.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"loveblock-marlborough-dry-riesling","title":"Loveblock Marlborough Dry Riesling 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLoveblock Marlborough Dry Riesling\u003c\/strong\u003e is a taut, mineral-driven Marlborough Riesling from Loveblock's family-owned Honey Block vineyard in Lower Dashwood. Lime, lemon and subtle honey meet flinty notes, gentle spice and bright linear acidity, finishing dry, clean and persistent. It is an expressive partner for sushi, sashimi and delicately spiced Asian dishes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePalest straw with hints of green. The nose shows lime and honey, with flinty notes and developing Riesling character. Lemon and lime drive the back palate, while gentle spice, a touch of honey and stony minerality carry through the mid-palate. The elevated, windy Honey Block site produced a low yield of five tonnes per hectare. The fruit was harvested in April 2023, cool fermented and bottled in July 2023.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hancocks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182010032495,"sku":"100083","price":137.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/LoveblockMarlboroughDryRiesling.jpg?v=1785108660"},{"product_id":"giesen-0-riesling","title":"Giesen 0% Riesling","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGiesen 0% Riesling\u003c\/strong\u003e brings the variety's bright, aromatic charm to the alcohol-free lineup. Built from fruit grown across Marlborough and Waipara - one bringing zippy citrus drive, the other lifted florals and structure - it's then taken through Giesen's spinning-cone process to gently lift out the alcohol before the aromatics are blended back in. Expect lime, citrus blossom and elderflower on the nose, with zingy lime and ripe mandarin carrying through an off-dry, well-balanced palate. Crisp acidity keeps the gentle sweetness in check, so it stays lively rather than cloying. A good pick for anyone who loves Riesling's citrus lift but wants to keep the night simple.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMade from a full-strength New Zealand Riesling grown across Marlborough and Waipara, this wine goes through Giesen's spinning cone process once fermentation is complete, gently separating out the aroma and then the alcohol before the aromatics are blended back in. The result is an off-dry style with lime, citrus blossom and elderflower aromas, zingy lime and ripe mandarin flavours, and crisp acidity balancing its gentle sweetness. Well matched with a fresh fruit salad or a citrus ceviche with avocado.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Federal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182013112687,"sku":"100174","price":95.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/Giesen0_Riesling.jpg?v=1784060924"},{"product_id":"giesen-gemstone-riesling","title":"Giesen Gemstone Riesling","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGiesen Gemstone Riesling\u003c\/strong\u003e is the label's showpiece - a limited-release Marlborough Riesling with a portion of the blend fermented not in steel or oak but in tanks cut from solid granite. That trick gives the 2025 vintage a lifted nose of lime and gentle tropical fruit, running into a palate of sweet mandarin and lemon sherbet, with racy acidity keeping the wine's natural sweetness honest rather than cloying. Five months resting on lees after fermentation builds real texture underneath all that zip, so it drinks with more weight than a typical off-dry Riesling. Giesen's German-born founders have chased this kind of precision Riesling since the label's earliest days, and Gemstone is where that ambition shows best. Pour it well chilled alongside something with a bit of spice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 2025 season in Marlborough opened early and warm, with a mild, dry spring bringing budburst about a week ahead of average and just one light frost to manage. A warm, dry March then extended ripening long into autumn, with hang times stretching to around 120 days, while cooler January and February weather locked in natural acidity along the way. Fruit was lightly pressed, cold settled and split between stainless steel and granite fermenters - the granite tanks are carved from a single slab of plutonic rock, which Giesen says allows a gentle exchange of air that lifts concentration while keeping the wine clean and bright. Fermentation was stopped at the desired sweetness to balance that acidity, and the wine was matured on light lees for five months before bottling. It comes in at 11.2% ABV, with a pH of 2.9, TA of 8g\/L and residual sugar of 16g\/L, and Giesen's winemaking team suggests pairing it with a Vietnamese salad with chilli prawns.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Federal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182013473135,"sku":"100185","price":107.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/GiesenGemstoneRiesling.jpg?v=1784060250"},{"product_id":"te-whare-ra-sv-riesling-d","title":"Te Whare Ra SV Riesling 'D' 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTe Whare Ra SV Riesling 'D'\u003c\/strong\u003e is a finely focused, bone-dry Marlborough Riesling from Te Whare Ra's old home block, planted in 1979. Jasmine, fresh lemon, kaffir lime and grapefruit lead into a concentrated palate shaped by ripe acidity, floral spice and a lingering mineral finish. The fruit comes from Marlborough's oldest Riesling vines, farmed organically and handled with a suitably gentle touch. Bright, pure and built to age, it is a smart match for oysters, sashimi, delicate seafood or simply a sunny afternoon that calls for something crisp.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Riesling was hand-picked and hand-sorted, then destemmed, gently crushed and air-bag pressed, with some parcels receiving skin contact. Fermentation took place slowly and cool in purpose-built stainless-steel tanks to retain the wine's floral aromatics. The finished wine is dry at 3.0 g\/L residual sugar, with jasmine, lemon, kaffir lime, grapefruit and floral spice supported by ripe acidity and mineral structure. Certified organic and suitable for vegans and vegetarians, it can be enjoyed now or carefully cellared for six to eight years or more.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCameron Douglas MS, 96 Points, Outstanding (2021)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003e“This is an outstanding wine, I am captivated and impressed with the focus and concentration of aromas and flavours leading to a palate of energy and power. Core flavours are led by lemon stone and citrus lime-flower quality, white apricot and a touch of white pineapple. As the wine opens out in glass these flavours sit nicely beside those of blossoms and apple, honeysuckle and baby’s breath floral highlights. The acidity and moderate alcohol carry the flavours throughout the palate leading to a lengthy dry finish. A perfect aperitif wine and equally delicious with delicately sweet seafood dishes. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2025.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Federal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182014423407,"sku":"100214","price":179.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/TeWhareRaSVRiesling_D.jpg?v=1784053400"},{"product_id":"te-whare-ra-sv-riesling-m","title":"Te Whare Ra SV Riesling 'M' 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTe Whare Ra SV Riesling 'M'\u003c\/strong\u003e is Te Whare Ra's medium-dry style, made in the mould of a great Mosel Riesling with fruit sweetness held in check by chalky acidity. It opens with mandarin, pink grapefruit and white peach, carrying through to vibrant flavours of the same alongside juicy lime and a slatey mineral edge. The palate is fine and soft, with real fruit weight and concentration balanced against mouth-watering acid tension. It sits at the sweeter end of Te Whare Ra's Riesling range without ever feeling heavy, and it's genuinely easy to keep pouring.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e This Riesling 'M' is designed to be medium-dry, made from fruit whose flavour profile and acid balance the winery felt suited this Mosel-inspired style. It shows lifted mandarin, pink grapefruit and white peach, with fine, soft texture and excellent fruit weight and concentration to counterbalance the wine's mouth-watering acidity. The winery describes it as dangerously drinkable and built around the tension between initial sweetness and lingering, chalky acid.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSam Kim, Wine Orbit, 96 Points (2022)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eYouthful, charming and exquisitely expressed, the wine is wonderfully flavoursome within an elegant frame and structure. Delicious notes of lemon sorbet, mandarin, Gala apple and acacia, lead to a delectably appealing palate offering gentle sweetness with perfectly pitched acidity. Mouth-watering and hugely appealing.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Federal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182014488943,"sku":"100215","price":179.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/TeWhareRaSVRiesling_M.jpg?v=1784053310"},{"product_id":"astrolabe-farm-dry-riesling","title":"Astrolabe Farm Dry Riesling 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAstrolabe The Farm Dry Riesling\u003c\/strong\u003e is a precise, citrus-led Riesling from Astrolabe's home vineyard in Grovetown. Lemon zest, lemon honey, green apple and citrus blossom lead into a light, mineral palate with crisp, racy acidity and a subtle saline edge. A small amount of residual sugar softens the wine without taking it away from its dry, refreshing style, while the low alcohol keeps it especially lively. Only free-run juice was used, preserving clarity and fine structure. Already highly enjoyable, it also has the acidity to develop gracefully in bottle. Serve lightly chilled with pork, delicate fish in beurre blanc or fragrant Thai and Vietnamese dishes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Riesling was grown at Astrolabe Farm in Grovetown, within Marlborough's lower Wairau Valley, on free-draining silty loam soils. Fruit was harvested between 31 March and 1 April 2022, with half hand-picked and whole-cluster pressed. Only the free-run juice was retained, then cool-fermented in stainless steel with light grape solids and an aromatic yeast strain. The wine contains 10.5% alcohol, 9.7 grams per litre of residual sugar and 7.4 grams per litre of total acidity. It is vegan and certified under Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCameron Douglas MS, 94\/100 \u0026amp; Excellent (2022 Vintage)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e“Dry on the palate driven by the intense acid line, saline and fresh then juicy fleshy and delicious.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wag\u0026Co","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182015701359,"sku":"100252","price":173.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/AstrolabeFarmDryRiesling.jpg?v=1784867528"},{"product_id":"fromm-single-vineyard-spatlese-riesling","title":"Fromm Single Vineyard Spatlese Riesling 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFROMM Single Vineyard Spätlese Riesling\u003c\/strong\u003e is a beautifully poised sweet Riesling, bringing luscious fruit and electric freshness together in one very tidy package. Braeburn apple, greengage and lime zest meet white orchard blossom and subtle chalky minerality, with vibrant acidity keeping the sweetness light on its feet. At just 7% alcohol, it delivers plenty of concentration without any sense of heaviness. FROMM has built its reputation around certified-organic vineyards and a terroir-first approach, and this is a brilliant partner for spicy Thai food, blue cheese, fresh fruit or an afternoon where one glass may reasonably become two.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstate-grown and hand-picked fruit is fermented and aged on lees for six months in stainless steel, preserving its purity and aromatic lift. White blossom, apple skin and freshly grated lime zest lead into juicy Braeburn apple and greengage, with elegant sweetness balanced by citrus-driven acidity and a subtle mineral tone. Light-bodied, focused and finely drawn, it can be enjoyed young for its energy or cellared as the flavours become more developed and integrated.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSam Kim, Wine Orbit, 97\/100 \u0026amp; 5 Stars\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“A brilliant, Mosel-like rendition, the enticing bouquet reveals lemon sorbet, crunchy apple, green rockmelon, wet limestone, and white flower nuances.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCameron Douglas MS, 94\/100 \u0026amp; Excellent\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Simply delicious. Juicy and fleshy mouthfeel is framed by a bold and definitive acid line with contrasting residual sweetness, a true Spatlese style.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Negociants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53214575526255,"sku":"100910","price":197.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/FrommSingleVineyardSpatleseRiesling.jpg?v=1784686347"},{"product_id":"greywacke-riesling","title":"Greywacke Riesling 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGreywacke Riesling\u003c\/strong\u003e is a richly textured, off-dry Marlborough Riesling where a little sweetness is met head-on by bright, mouth-watering acidity. White nectarine, crunchy apple and ripe melon meet mandarin, orange blossom and clover honey, with candied ginger, herbs and a light saline edge bringing extra detail. The fruit comes from a single organically certified vineyard in Fairhall, while founder Kevin Judd brings the experience of directing Cloudy Bay’s first 25 vintages. Generous without losing tension, this is excellent with spicy Asian dishes, glazed pork, fresh seafood or a particularly enthusiastic cheese board.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrown at the organically certified Ashmore Vineyard on gravelly clay-loam soils near the mouth of the Brancott Valley, the fruit is hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed. Fermentation is split between stainless steel and seasoned French oak, using both cultured and indigenous yeasts, before the wine rests on lees to build texture and complexity. White nectarine, orange blossom, mandarin and honey lead into crunchy apple, melon and candied ginger, with lively acidity and a subtle touch of sea salt balancing the gently sweet, generous palate.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCameron Douglas MS, 95\/100 \u0026amp; Outstanding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Salivating, fleshy mouthfeel is how this wine finishes from a combination of ripe sweet green apple and lime.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Suckling, 93\/100\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Gooseberries, grapefruit, orange zest and a hint of Amaro on the nose.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMichael Cooper, 5 Stars\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Full of personality and youthful vigour.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Negociants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53214575722863,"sku":"100916","price":395.88,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/GreywackeRiesling.jpg?v=1784688705"}],"url":"https:\/\/stolencellar.co.nz\/collections\/marlborough-riesling.oembed","provider":"Stolen Cellar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}