Lawsons Dry Hills 'Lighter' Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2025

When Ross and Barbara Lawson launched their first vintage of Lawson’s Dry Hills in 1992, with their first vintage in 1992 they already had a decade of grape growing experience behind them. having first planted in Marlborough in 1982. However, they have gone on to become a huge success, and their reputation for constantly over-delivering on value has secured them widespread popularity.

They started small: Ross produced the first vintage (a gewürztraminer) by himself in an old red tin shed, which remains to this day as part of the winery cellar door. He and Barbara extended the range over the years, and it now includes sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, riesling, pinot noir and pinot gris. The team sources its grapes from the Wairau, Waihopai, Omaha and Awatere valleys.

Marcus Wright has been winemaker here since 2001, after gaining experience working at various wine producing areas, including Chile and the Loire, as well as other New Zealand estates. Wines are fermented in stainless-steel tanks, although interestingly a small portion of the sauvignon blanc ferments in oak, which adds structure and richness. The estate’s rosé is 100% pinot noir – a relatively rare find – and provides excellent value.

Ross died in 2009, but Barbara continued to uphold their shared vision before selling the family's shares to friends and business partners Tim and Pauline Evill. The Lawson’s Dry Hills team is like one big family, with each person a valued member. The idea of family extends beyond the estate: the company is also part of New Zealand’s ‘Family of Twelve’, an alliance of 12 family-owned wineries, including the likes of Villa Maria, Kumeu River, Craggy Range, Neudorf and Felton Road.

In 2021 Lawson's Dry Hills celebrated their 30th vintage, and were certified as being carbon zero under the international standard (ISO14064). As they already held certification for ISO14001 (Environmental Management) they became the first New Zealand winery to hold both accreditations. A great way to start a new decade!

Environmental sustainability

Carbon emissions have been reduced significantly  here and now represent just half of the average emissions of a winery of their size, and water usage is 56% less than the average through the capture of rainwater from the winery roof and its careful usage. Packaging plays a part too, with lightweight bottles employed (they've just decreased bottle weights by over 100g in a single vintage) and paper for their labels comes from FSC certified sustainably managed forests. Even their pallet wrap is 100% biodegradeable.