Man O’ War Sidewinder Sauvignon Blanc 2024 from Waiheke Island is a vibrant, coastal expression of New Zealand’s signature varietal. Bursting with notes of fresh herbs, lime cordial, and passionfruit seed, it carries a saline lift of salt spray and wet stone. Early picking preserves zesty acidity, balanced by low-yield intensity, a whisper of barrel weight, and a trace of natural residual sugar. Linear, textured, and dry, this wine is a vivid celebration of regional character and purity.
Vintage 2024 gave us near-perfect conditions—sunny skies, just enough rain, and balanced ripening. Our dry-farmed, hillside Sauvignon Blanc vineyards benefit from constant sea breezes, yielding small, intensely flavored berries. In the cellar, we whole-bunch press, then ferment mostly in stainless steel for purity. A small portion of the ripest fruit is barrel fermented on full solids with wild yeast, adding aromatic lift, texture, and subtle structure.
Winemaker: Duncan McTavish
Winemaker: Duncan McTavish
Man O’ War is located at the eastern end of Waiheke Island, New Zealand, upon which is a stunning array of coastal hillsides with high cliffs and pristine beaches forming a ruggedly beautiful coastline. Today, Man O’ War consists of 150 acres of vines planted in 76 individual hillside blocks, each with a distinct soil profile and microclimate. Every single block bears the footprints, and sometimes the names, of those who transformed Man O’ War’s rugged hillsides into a spectacular patchwork of vines. Each block has been meticulously designed with different rootstocks, clones and planting densities to best match the specific terroir on offer.
