Forrest Wines ♡

Vineyard Sites Fruit intensity and flavour complexity are determined in the vineyard; here we exploit known flavour differences between Chardonnay clones and two distinctly different vineyard sites. The Wairau River Valley; gravel rich, free draining and devigourating soil profile and our Southern V...

Fumé Blanc was originally created by the famous Napa Valley winemaker, Robert Mondavi. In an attempt to avoid the negative image of the then, sweet, boring style of Napa Sauvignon Blanc, he invented a new name for the variety.Fumé – Referring to smoke-like vapour or substance.Blanc – French fo...

Tasting Notes This wine shows why our Southern Valleys vineyards are so special. Everything we’d hoped for and showing all the traditional Albariño elements, plus that extra fruit lift of New Zealand to keep it interesting. Vibrant acidity, white peach, winter cole pear, apricots and quince,...

A delightful surprise: a mix-up of tank numbers in the winery resulted in this serendipitous blend of Pinot Gris, Riesling and Petit Manseng. Reminiscent of John Forrest’s renowned accidental Rosé, the first wine he ever made, we understand that the most remarkable achievements often come ab...

Tasting NotesRipe white peach, mango and zesty lemon sherbet. The delicious fruit sweetness is balanced by the wine’s naturally high acidity to delight the palate – a burst of sweet fruit, rich, full and mouth filling, yet crisp and refreshing with an almost dry finish. Perfect as an aperitif with game pate and fruit chutney on a salty biscuit.

Tasting NotesAlways aiming for the classical off-dry style of the Loire, this wine is lovingly crafted and heavily debated by the passionate pair every year. Defined by flavours of Pear, Quince, Jasmine, Greengage plum and ginger, balanced by a deliciously zesty acidity on the palate and a rich mine...

Alive on the nose with strawberry, raspberry fruit flavours and just a hint of dry herbs – sage, thyme and rosemary. It’s ripe and fruity, yet crisp, refreshing and dry. Perfect for a warm summers day “al fresco” lunch – smoked meats, aged cheeses, crisp salad and herb focaccia.

Tasting NotesDelicious aromas of raspberry, strawberry and black Dawson cherry with hints of violets. The taste is all dark fruit cake and plum, with hints of spice and savoury, “forest floor” aromas. It’s full, complex and delicious on the palate! Great drinking now but your patience will be rewarded by cellaring for 5 years.

Another returning member to the Forrest stable. 2021 provided such a slow, intense ripening that shows in this Semillon. Beautifully balanced by the river gravels minerality and classic Semillon acidity, this wine looks fresh and approachable now but will make a beautifully aged Semillon if you can stash it away for ten years. Only 200 bottles were produced.

Off-dry and simply delicious! Our pick for serious Riesling connoisseurs. The fruit character of the Southern Valleys is balanced by the minerality of the river gravels, all wrapped up in a dry, crisp acidity. 10 years of aging potential if you have the self-control but drinking exceptionally well now.

Tasting NotesAlways aiming for the classical off-dry style of the Loire, this wine is lovingly crafted and heavily debated by the passionate pair every year. Defined by flavours of Pear, Quince, Jasmine, Greengage plum and ginger, balanced by a deliciously zesty acidity on the palate and a rich mine...

Tasting Notes This wine shows why our Southern Valleys vineyards are so special. Everything we’d hoped for and showing all the traditional Albariño elements, plus that extra fruit lift of New Zealand to keep it interesting. Vibrant acidity, white peach, winter cole pear, apricots and quince,...

Tasting NotesA classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc; all passionfruit, grapefruit, elderflower and flowering blooms on the nose. To taste, it has passionfruit and guava, aromatic herbs, lemon thyme and sage with hints of white flowers. It’s full and generous in the mouth, yet crisp, refreshing and dry with just a hint of salty minerality on the finish.

"Beth" is a unique methode traditionnelle sparkling red wine made initially to celebrate my daughter Beth's graduation with her Master’s in Oenology. With its dry, cool autumn nights, Marlborough produces grapes with exceptional flavour and high natural acidity – the ideal substrate for...

Grüner Veltliner is the Austrian version of White Burgundy. A hugely versatile food wine that loves spice, grease, cream and herbal overloads. It’s a little bit exotic; with hints of lemon, lime, tangerine and peach but always with its defining grapefruit pith and white pepper herbaceous hit...

Tasting NotesRipe white peach, mango and zesty lemon sherbet. The delicious fruit sweetness is balanced by the wine’s naturally high acidity to delight the palate – a burst of sweet fruit, rich, full and mouth filling, yet crisp and refreshing with an almost dry finish. Perfect as an aperitif with game pate and fruit chutney on a salty biscuit.

Something a little unusual from Marlborough. Originally from North-eastern Italy, this tiny parcel was sourced from the Stanley Estate plantings in the Awatere Valley. It shows dark fruit characters, a little Awatere spice and a fresh, lively acidity. It's a slightly more robust red than our usual Pinot Noir and a great match with a big steak over the open grill this winter.

Vineyard SitesChenin Blanc is one the world’s noble grape varietals, whose spiritual home is the Loire Valley, France. It is very vigorous in the vineyard and requires constant supervision to keep yields in check. We grow these grapes on two distinctly different sites. The Wairau River Valley; ...

Alive on the nose with strawberry, raspberry fruit flavours and just a hint of dry herbs – sage, thyme and rosemary. It’s ripe and fruity, yet crisp, refreshing and dry. Perfect for a warm summers day “al fresco” lunch – smoked meats, aged cheeses, crisp salad and herb focaccia.

St Laurent is commonly grown in Austria, Czech Republic, and Northern Italy. Originating from France, it produces dark-coloured, small berries with smooth tannins and a sweet cherry scent.Tasting NotesBoasting a deep blue/red hue, the Forrest St Laurent offers aromas of violets and raspberries. Its...