Roving Sommelier is passionate about premium quality New Zealand regional wines. Neudorf – a family owned winery, first planted in the late 1970s by Tim and Judy Finn is located in the clay-rich soils of the Moutere Valley, Nelson at the tip of New Zealand’s South Island.

Neudorf first came onto my wine radar back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when I met Judy Finn for the first time at a New Zealand wine tasting in London. They quickly became one of my favourite New Zealand boutique vineyards and I have been following them with interest (and purchasing their wines) ever since. What’s more, Neudorf wines, especially their iconic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and excellent aromatics such as Riesling and Pinot Gris will always feature near the top of my New Zealand wine bucket list. I have tasted wines with Judy Finn on many occasions and was fortunate enough to visit the vineyard twice – 2003 and 2009.

Great wines have a basis of fruit concentration, length and sense of place – characters which can be formed only in the vineyard. And due to Neudorf’s excellent position within the Moutere Valley, they have all the necessary components and unique terroir to produce truly world-class wines.

The 2019 Neudorf “Tiritiri” Sauvignon Blanc is clean and super fresh with delicious citrus, honeydew melon, and mineral notes. What’s more, this wine shows that you don’t necessarily have to choose a Sauvignon Blanc from the ever-popular Marlborough region, when you can perfectly enjoy a characterful wine from Nelson instead. Best enjoyed chilled with or without food and in a convivial atmosphere.

Neudorf is also a member of New Zealand Family of Twelve.