Ribbonwood Wines

Ribbonwood is a Marlborough winemaker producing fresh, expressive wines from mature vines in New Zealand's Wairau Valley. Made by Andrew Brown of Framingham, Ribbonwood stands out for its genuine commitment to environmental stewardship: the team has planted over 1,000 native shrubs and trees around the vineyard, improved wastewater systems, and switched to lightweight bottles and recycled cartons. The name comes from the Ribbonwood trees—the country's most imposing native deciduous tree—that flourish near the vineyard in Renwick. This is a producer that takes seriously both what it puts in the bottle and what it leaves behind on the land.

About Ribbonwood Wines

Ribbonwood's philosophy centres on precision winemaking from established vineyards. The Sauvignon Blanc vines grow in the original Ribbonwood Block near Renwick, where their orientation—aligned along an east-west axis—creates shade patterns across the south-facing rows and intensifies the fruit's signature gooseberry aromatics. In the cellar, Andrew Brown's approach is methodical: dozens of small parcels are fermented separately in individual tanks of varying sizes. This gives him flexibility to experiment with different picking times, yeast strains, and fermentation temperatures, then blend from a wider palette of options. The result is wines that taste considered rather than formulaic. Sauvignon Blanc emerges with racy acidity and passion fruit aromatics; Pinot Noir delivers summer fruit compote flavours that are simultaneously ripe and vibrant, underscored by savoury dried herb notes from restrained oak ageing. Ribbonwood specialises in mature vine fruit, which naturally concentrates flavour and adds texture to the wine.

Ribbonwood Wines Wines in Our Collection

The 2024 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (90 points, Cameron Douglas) is the estate's calling card—green and flinty in character, with the distinctive gooseberry lift from vines positioned along an east-west axis. This is a wine that rewards food pairing and shows complexity across the glass. The 2023 Marlborough Pinot Noir (92 points James Suckling, 88 points Cameron Douglas) offers a different tempo: ripe stone fruits and dried herb notes that make it approachable now but capable of developing over a few years. Both wines reflect Ribbonwood's focus on balance rather than extraction. If you want a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that feels complete and thought-through rather than one-dimensional, or a Pinot Noir with genuine texture and savoury appeal, these two form a coherent pair that showcase the producer's skill across their range.

Food Pairing

The Sauvignon Blanc cuts through seafood, particularly oysters, crab, and raw fish preparations where its flinty character plays beautifully. Try it with goat's cheese, asparagus, or green salads where the acidity mirrors the ingredients. The Pinot Noir's dried herb notes and ripe fruit make it a natural with roasted poultry, duck, and lighter red meat dishes—lamb in particular. Both wines work well at the table rather than as standalone sips, which is where Ribbonwood's measured winemaking shows its worth.

What makes Ribbonwood's Sauvignon Blanc different from other Marlborough producers?

The grapes grow in the original Ribbonwood Block planted east-west, which shades the south-facing rows and intensifies gooseberry aromatics. Small-parcel fermentation in individual tanks allows multiple picking times and yeast experiments, creating complex blending options most producers cannot match.

Is Ribbonwood an environmentally responsible producer?

Yes. They planted over 1,000 native shrubs and trees to enhance biodiversity, improved wastewater management, and use lightweight bottles and recycled cartons to reduce carbon footprint. Environmental responsibility is embedded in their winemaking.

Who makes Ribbonwood wines?

Andrew Brown, winemaker at Framingham, produces Ribbonwood. He specialises in mature vine fruit and uses small-tank fermentation to create flexible blending options across the range.

Who makes Ribbonwood wines?

Andrew Brown of Framingham makes Ribbonwood wines in Marlborough, New Zealand's Wairau Valley. The producer is based near Renwick and focuses on fruit from mature vines.

What style of wine does Ribbonwood make?

Ribbonwood makes fresh, expressive wines. Their Sauvignon Blanc is green and flinty with gooseberry aromatics (90 points); their Pinot Noir offers ripe stone fruit and dried herb notes, balanced and food-friendly.

How much does Ribbonwood wine cost?

Ribbonwood wines from SommPills cost between £14.80 and £15.10 per bottle—affordable, quality New Zealand fruit-driven styles.