Blank Canvas Wines

Blank Canvas Wines is a Marlborough producer built on 45 years of combined winemaking expertise. Founded in 2012 by Master of Wine Sophie Parker-Thomson and award-winning consultant Matt Thomson, the business partners source exceptional single vineyards across New Zealand and craft small-batch wines that express distinct terroir. In 2025, they acquired a nine-hectare property in Marlborough's Omaka Valley—a high-density vineyard planted in 2003 on low-vigour clay slopes—which now serves as their home winery and base for their expanding portfolio.

About Blank Canvas Wines

Blank Canvas's founding ethos centres on matching variety and winemaking style to place. Sophie Parker-Thomson chairs Appellation Marlborough Wine™ (AMW), a founding member organisation that certifies wines to strict provenance and quality standards. This membership reflects Blank Canvas's commitment to showcasing the diverse subregions of Marlborough through single-vineyard releases.

The producers work with partner vineyards across multiple sites, each chosen for its ability to express a distinct character. Their approach to winemaking emphasises control at every stage—from vineyard selection through to bottling decisions. Several releases undergo indigenous yeast fermentation in French oak puncheons and are released unfined and unfiltered, preserving the wine's natural complexity and capacity for extended cellaring.

The 'Holdaway' Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from the coastal Dillons Point subregion, delivers powerful, precise fruit with a distinctive salty character. The 'Abstract | Three Rows' expression is selectively harvested from low-yielding vines planted in the same vineyard's clay-rich section; it undergoes indigenous yeast fermentation in seasoned French oak and achieves a texture and complexity that draws parallels to Graves Blanc. The 'Reed' Vineyard Chardonnay, planted on alluvial clay soils at the confluence of the Wairau and Waihopai Rivers, is fermented with indigenous yeast and no lees stirring, creating an elegant wine with significant ageing potential. The 'Tano' Chardonnay, released for the first time in 2023, represents another addition to their single-vineyard range.

This model of estate control—combined with carefully selected partner vineyards—allows Blank Canvas to make consistent, quality-focused decisions at every production stage while showcasing the specific characteristics of Marlborough's subregions.

Blank Canvas Wines Wines in Our Collection

The range spans white and red varieties across Marlborough subregions. The 2025 Holdaway Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (92pts) represents the coastal style; pair this with seafood or oysters for maximum effect. For reds, the 2021 Settlement Vineyard Pinot Noir (94pts) and 2021 Escaroth Vineyard Pinot Noir (92pts) deliver elegant structure. The 2019 Element Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Syrah (93pts) provides a bolder option. The 2023 and 2025 Anandale Farm Rieslings (91–92pts) offer aromatic, floral profiles suited to lighter dishes or aperitif duty.

Food Pairing

Holdaway Sauvignon Blanc pairs with raw and cooked shellfish, white fish with citrus dressing, or goat's cheese. Reed and Tano Chardonnays suit roasted chicken, seafood risotto, or creamy pasta dishes. Settlement and Escaroth Pinot Noirs work with duck, lamb, or earthy mushroom-based preparations. The Rieslings complement Asian cuisine, spiced dishes, or soft cheeses. Gimblett Gravels Syrah pairs with grilled meats, game, or richly sauced beef.

What makes Blank Canvas wines different from other Marlborough producers?

Blank Canvas focuses on single-vineyard expression across distinct Marlborough subregions. Sophie Parker-Thomson, as Chair of Appellation Marlborough Wine™, ensures wines meet certified quality and provenance standards. The producer matches grape variety and winemaking style to specific vineyard sites.

Which Blank Canvas wines score highest with critics?

The 2024 Tano Chardonnay (95pts overall, 97pts from James Suckling) and 2024 Reed Vineyard Chardonnay (94pts overall, 96pts from James Suckling and Jasper Morris) score highest. The 2021 Settlement Vineyard Pinot Noir also rates 94pts overall.

Do Blank Canvas wines age well?

Yes. The Reed Vineyard and Tano Chardonnays, fermented with indigenous yeast in French oak and bottled unfiltered, are noted for complexity and ageing potential. The producer's low-vigour vineyard sites and careful winemaking support long-term cellaring.

Who makes Blank Canvas Wines?

Blank Canvas Wines was founded in 2012 by Master of Wine Sophie Parker-Thomson and award-winning consultant Matt Thomson. Based in Marlborough, New Zealand, they combine 45 years of winemaking expertise and now operate a nine-hectare home winery in the Omaka Valley.

What style of wine does Blank Canvas make?

Blank Canvas makes single-vineyard whites and reds across Marlborough subregions. They work with varieties including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Their 2024 Reed Vineyard Chardonnay scored 94 points—elegant, buttery and complex.

How much does Blank Canvas wine cost?

Blank Canvas wines range between £19.15 and £36.25. Most whites sit around £20–£32, while reds typically fall between £32–£36, reflecting their single-vineyard, small-batch approach.