The Tinpot Hut story began in 2003 when winemaker Fiona Turner and her husband Hamish established their own 20 hectare vineyard in Marlborough’s emerging sub-region of Blind River. Naming her range of wines after a historic Marlborough mustering hut, the ‘Tinpot Hut’ links the area’s sheep farming past with its current state as one of the world’s most dynamic wine regions. Fruit is sourced from Fiona’s ‘Home Block’ and is supplemented by grapes from selected vineyards. Fiona is assisted by Matt Thomson, a friend and colleague with whom she has worked for many years. Her flagship Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of fruit from Blind River, which contributes mineral and crushed herb characters, and the Lower Wairau, which imparts lovely tropical flavours. The Pinot Gris, also from Blind River, shows fragrant aromas of spice and pear, with underlying notes of brioche and stone fruits, and has a textured body and lingering finish. Fiona also produces two single-vineyard wines. The ‘Barker Vineyard’ Riesling is a light-bodied wine with flavours of lime, grapefruit and a distinct mineral finish reflective of the Blind River sub-region. The ‘McKee Vineyard’ Grüner Veltliner is also a Blind River wine with notes of white peach and subtle peppery spice. The reds are equally pure and fresh. The Pinot Noir has intense aromas of black cherry, supported by hints of plum and redcurrant. Structurally, the tannins are soft and silky and well-balanced acidity ensures good length and weight. The fruit for the Syrah is sourced from some of the oldest Syrah vines in New Zealand, planted on an ancient river terrace in the Dartmoor sub-region of Hawkes Bay, as well as from the unique gravel soil of the Gimblett Gravels area, which gives power and structure to the wine. Fiona used to work in Hawkes Bay, so knows the region intimately. The wine, made in the style of the Northern Rhône, has lovely aromatics of plum, pepper and spice and weight on the mid-palate. The 2020 growing season was long, warm and dry with moderate yields following a warm spring with above-average rainfall. Cooler temperatures towards the end of summer, particularly during night time, ensured that the fruit retained intensity and flavour. The dry and cool weather continued until harvest, which allowed picking to take place at absolute optimal ripeness. The 2020 Sauvignon Blanc shows a vibrancy, exceptional balance and an absolute sense of place. A classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with vibrant aromas of passion fruit, melon and blackcurrant bud. - The 2020 growing season was long, warm and dry with moderate yields following a warm spring with above-average rainfall. Cooler temperatures towards the end of summer, particularly during night time, ensured that the fruit retained intensity and flavour. The dry and cool weather continued until harvest, which allowed picking to take place at absolute optimal ripeness. The 2020 Sauvignon Blanc shows a vibrancy, exceptional balance and an absolute sense of place.