Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
www.tworivers.co.nz
Welcome
Two Rivers of Marlborough takes its name from the iconic
rivers that feed the winegrowing heart of Marlborough’s
renowned Wairau and Awatere valleys and which have been
such a great influence in the life of founder, David Clouston.
After 22 vintages in the US, France, Spain
Chile and Australia, David returned to his
home with an intimate knowledge of the
region, and a world of experience, to form a
wine brand which would reflect and express
the diverse landscapes of Marlborough.
He scoured the Wairau and Awatere
valleys to select his vines, not just vineyard
by vineyard but row by row, being choosy
about soils, climate, orientation and all
manner of variables including each grower’s
viticultural philosophy.
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
Selecting his fruit from the best terroirs
of Marlborough’s two valleys allows
David to craft wines of complexity,
depth and elegance.
Two Rivers wines include ‘Convergence’
Sauvignon Blanc, ‘Juliet’ Riesling, ‘Wairau
Selection’ Pinot Gris, ‘Clos des Pierres’
Chardonnay, ‘Awatere Selection’ Pinot
Noir and ‘Altitude’ Pinot Noir.
The combination of experience, heritage
and craftsmanship is evident in these
complex but elegant, fruit-driven wines from
Marlborough’s most exciting new producer.
www.tworivers.co.nz
History of Winemaker
David grew up in Marlborough, this
slice of paradise is his home, and he is
both passionate and fiercely proud of
his heartland.
As a youth, David spent his summers
exploring the valleys and rivers of the
district. This time left a lasting effect
on David and who would have known
his ‘misspent youth’ could, in time,
inspire his first wine label – Two Rivers
of Marlborough.
After studying Wine Science in
New Zealand and working vintages for
Stoneleigh and Vavasour wineries, David
took flight and headed abroad on his OE.
Working as a consultant winemaker, he
visited and worked in countries as far away
as Corsica and Chile.
him with the desire to one day craft wines
with typicity, purity and texture.
Returning home, David worked as
Production Winemaker at Mount Riley,
as well as designing the Sugar Loaf Winery
(which he is currently using to craft Two
Rivers wines).
David realised that vineyards are key to
great wine, so used his in-depth knowledge
of the region, local family contacts and
international experience to search out
unique microclimates around the two
rivers that have been such a great
influence in his life.
David launched Two Rivers of
Marlborough in 2004 and he has been
refining his style, whilst gaining local
and international recognition.
The flavours, sights and villages visited
inspired David, and his adventures through
the classic wine regions of Europe filled
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
www.tworivers.co.nz
Marlborough Vineyards
The region of Marlborough rests at the top
of New Zealand’s South Island.
auckland
Rolling valleys carved by ancient riverbeds,
bright and long summer days with cool nights
are ideal for the production of crisp, zesty
whites and suave cool climate reds. Since
planting started in 1973, Sauvignon Blanc has
propelled Marlborough on to the international
stage, capturing the attention and imagination
of critics and consumers alike.
picton
wellington
christchurch
richmond range
wairau
river
cloudy bay
blenheim
seddon
waihopai
river
awatere
river
clifford bay
blind river
ward
waima (ure)
river
wairau river
southern
awatere valley
Marlborough is defined by three districts - the
Wairau & Awatere valleys are both ancient
riverbeds with free draining alluvial loam
over gravelly subsoil. The Southern Valley is
again a glacial outwash but exhibits higher
levels of clay in the soils and a late ripening
climate. Within these sub regions are a varying
and complex array of micro climates and
soils - understanding, listening and matching
the right varieties to these elements,is the
difference between pedestrian producers, and
those who offer wines with energy.
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
The long, consistent growing season,
temperate pacific breeze and cool nights
preserve the bright fruit characters which
encourage classic Marlborough wines.
Sauvignon Blanc is still the region’s principal
grape but the climate is cool and recently fine
examples of Riesling and Pinot Gris have
emerged. With care and nurture, Pinot Noir
grown on the Southern Valley hillsides and in
the furthest reaches of the Awatere, can offer
great clarity and finesse.
Large scale local and international interest
has ensured rapid growth over the last twenty
years, yet a small bevy of boutique producers
are tending special blocks within the valleys.
These dedicated few listen and unleash
Marlborough’s potential, crafting wines of the
land, pure, taut and focused.
www.tworivers.co.nz
auckland
picton
wellington
christchurch
richmond range
wairau
river
cloudy bay
blenheim
seddon
waihopai
river
awatere
river
clifford bay
blind river
ward
waima (ure)
river
wairu valley
southern
awatere valley
Wairau Valley Vineyards
The classic Marlborough valley, with exceptional
vineyard sites for whites.
wairau
valley
3
2
Climate
Old terrace beds with greywacke stones,
silt, sand and loam.
Extremely long and warm summer days
with cool nights ensure an extended
growing season deep into Autumn.
1
wairau river
blenheim
waihopai
river
Soils
vineyards
1 collyns
varietal
sauvignon blanc
vine age
6 years
2 jones
sauvignon blanc
12 years
3 macfarlane
sauvignon blanc
30 years
3 macfarlane
chardonnay
25 years
richmond
range
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
www.tworivers.co.nz
Southern Valley Vineyards
The Southern Valleys complex soils add depth and
structure to wines especially Pinot Noir
southern
valleys
2
blenheim
3
waihopai
river
1
Soils
Climate
The soils of the Ben Morven, Brancott,
Omaka, Fairhall and Waihopai Valley (referred to as the Southern Valleys) lie to the
south of the Wairau plains. They typically
originated from glacial outwash and less extensively worked by the river system than
the adjourning valleys. The soils tend to
have significant amounts of silt and gravel
but also exhibit higher levels of clay adding
more depth and structure to wines.
While the Wairau River moderates the
viticultural climate on the northern side
of the Wairau River, cold air descends
from the nearby Wither Hills into the
Southern valleys creating a cooler, later
ripening climate than that of the growing
areas on the opposite, northern side of the
Wairau plain.
vineyards
varietal
vine age
1 pouwhare
sauvignon blanc
8 years
2 dew
pinot noir
8 years
2 dew
sauvignon blanc
10 years
3 brookby hill
home block
14 years
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
www.tworivers.co.nz
Awatere Valley Vineyards
A recently developed valley with diverse soils, cool
climate and Altitude….
33
clifford bay
awatere
valley
seddon
blind river
22
300m
330m
1
awatere
river
waima (ure)
river
ward
Soils
Climate
White - old terrace beds with greywacke
stones, silt, sand and loam.
The coastal breeze reduces pest and disease
pressure, the long days and cool nights aid
a dramatic diurnal swing, which can reach
30 degrees, allowing grapes to retain their
acidity (freshness), fruit concentration
(depth) and fine tannins (structure).
Reds - vineyards are clay based, with hard
papa subsoil, gravels and loam. These
denser, water retentive soils, combined
with a cool climate, are perfectly suited to
growing Pinot Noir.
vineyards
varietal
vine age
altitude
1 jones (terrace)
sauvignon blanc
10 years
75 m
2 richmond brook
sauvignon blanc
12 years
100m
3 jones (long lane)
sauvignon blanc
15 years
50m
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
www.tworivers.co.nz
Winemaking
Traditional old world techniques are employed
to craft wines with texture, freshness and elegance.
All grapes are hand selected and hand sorted
with care and attention. Each vineyard and
clone is fermented in small batches (2 – 5
tonne fermenters), allowing their personalities
to be expressed.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are wild
fermented and specific yeasts are selected for
Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Gris.
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
French Oak ageing is employed with a
preference for Sylvain and Francois Frères
selections.
Lees stirring is key to most of our wines
to add mouth feel and depth, adding a new
dimension to the structure of our wines.
www.tworivers.co.nz
2016 ‘Convergence’ Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough (Sustainable)
SOILS
SILT OVER ALLUVIAL GRAVELS
ALCOHOL
13.5%
T.A
7.1 g/l
RS
2.8 g/l
BRIX
21 - 22
PH
3.17
HARVEST
DATES
EARLY APRIL
Harvest & Winemakers’ notes:
Tasting notes:
A convergence of flavours from five
separate vineyards located in the Awatere,
Southern Valleys and Rapaura sub regions.
Harvested at optimum ripeness, the grapes
were gently pressed and fermented, at cool
temperatures, in stainless steel to maximise
fruit purity and character. A percentage of
the wine was aged on fine lees for 3 months,
adding texture, complexity and increased
mouth-feel to the palate.
Bright straw with golden/green hues,
this Sauvignon Blanc has an abundance
of blackcurrant, white peach and chalky
aromas with hints of elderflower, green fig
and lily. The palate has great concentration
yet displays poise and elegance – dry and
refreshing with persistent flavours of
mandarin peel and grapefruit pith, a touch
nettle leaf on the finish and mouthwatering
acidity.
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
www.tworivers.co.nz
2015 ‘Altitude’ Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough (Sustainable)
soils
friable silt loam topsoil over clay loam
Winemakers’ notes:
Tasting notes:
alcohol
13.5%
t.a
6.0 g/l
Colour: Intense, rich gold
rs
2.8 g/l
brix
24.2
ph
3.27
harvest
dates
april 2015
Sourced from a single vineyard in the
Southern Valleys sub-region of Marlborough
where the soil structure has a high content
of silt and gravel over clay. The shallow, fast
draining, low fertile soil helps to produce
lush, aromatic, ripe wines with structure.
The grapes were thinned to one bunch per
shoot to increase concentration and flavour.
All leaves were removed from the fruiting
zone to achieve maximum ripeness and to
avoid any unripe characters. The grapes
were hand-picked and whole bunch pressed.
60% went directly into 8 year old hogshead
barrels, while 40% went into a concrete
egg tank, both for wild fermentation. The
wine was then aged on full yeast lees for 10
months in these vessels, with a small portion
going through malo-lactic fermentation.
Unfined with a light filtration prior to
bottling.
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
Nose: A delicate nose with aromas of
lemon balm, grapefruit pith and tea tree,
combined with dried herbs.
Palete: The palate has granular texture with
excellent concentration, balanced with
juicy citrus notes, wet stone and chalky
flavours and crystalline acidity. Extended
lees ageing adds breadth, providing
complexity and elegance.
The wine is a perfect match with soft and
mature cheeses, terrines and pates. Drink
between 2016 and 2021.
www.tworivers.co.nz
2016 ‘Brookby Hill’ Pinot Gris
Marlborough (Sustainable)
soils
windblown loess over clay
alcohol
13 %
t.a
6.5 g/l
rs
4.1 g/l
brix
22.3
ph
2.95
harvest
dates
16 april 2016
Harvest & Winemakers’ notes:
Tasting notes:
Sourced from our exciting new Brookby
Hill vineyard in the Omaka Valley, this
vintage shows a new direction for Two
Rivers Pinot Gris. Handpicked at sunrise
to retain freshness, fruit purity and varietal
character, the grapes were then gently
pressed. 90% was fermented at warmish
temperatures in stainless steel, while
10% went through wild fermentation in
seasoned French oak barriques. The wine
was kept on fine lees for 4 months to add
mouthfeel and complexity.
A very aromatic style of Pinot Gris,
revealing fresh pear, crystallised ginger
and Jasmine aromas. Textured and dry in
style, the wine has zingy lime, orange and
marmalade flavours, mingled with mineral
notes and hints of raw honeycomb. This
Pinot Gris is well balanced, softly textured,
and has great mouthfeel and persistence of
flavour.
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
www.tworivers.co.nz
2015 ‘Juliet’ Riesling
Marlborough (Sustainable)
soils
clay over river gravels
alcohol
11 %
t.a
8.5 g/l
rs
14.3 g/l
brix
21
ph
2.96
harvest
dates
13 April
Harvest & Winemakers’ notes:
Tasting notes:
Sourced from 20 year old vines from a
single vineyard site in the Southern Valleys.
Handpicked and lightly whole bunched
pressed, the juice was then fermented at
cool temperatures
(7 degrees) to retain crisp fruit intensity.
Fermentation was stopped when the sugar
and acidity were perfectly balanced.
The wine was then rested on lees for
4 months to gain texture and palate weight.
The acidity, texture and minerality of this
wine interplay harmoniously.
Aromas of apricot, honeycomb and lemon
zest are mixed with an underlying touch
of tangelo and lanolin. The palate has a
delicate ethereal frame, releasing juicy
mandarin fruit with bright citrus and
chalky extract. A concentrated and vibrant
expression of Riesling which is an elegant
aperitif and an excellent match for seafood
or spicy Asian cuisine..
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
www.tworivers.co.nz
2015 ‘Clos des Pierres’ Chardonnay
Marlborough (Sustainable)
soils
silt loam topsoil over alluvial gravels
alcohol
14 %
t.a
6.2g/l
rs
<2 g/l
brix
23.8
ph
3.49
harvest
dates
6 april
Harvest & Winemakers’ notes:
Tasting notes:
A true expression of site, this wine was
sourced form a single vineyard in the
Wairau Valley with 25 year old vines and
extremely stony soils. 100% Mendoza
clone. Hand harvested, lightly whole
bunch pressed with wild ferment in barrel
and intermittent stirring of the lees. Full
malolactic fermentation, followed by 11
months ageing in 25% new and seasoned
French barrels. Unfined and unfiltered.
Colour: Bright yellow
Bouquet: Aromas of lemon balm mingle
with toasty oak, cloves and cashew nut.
Palate: Fresh pineapple and lemon zest
flavours are layered over savoury oak and
spice. The artesian winemaking approach
has resulted in a delicious wine, showing
great opulence and complexity with
underlying old vine minerality.
‘Clos des Pierres’ - place of stones
David Clouston & Ashley Holland Winemakers
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
www.tworivers.co.nz
2016 L’Ile de Beauté Rosé
Marlborough (Sustainable)
SOILS
WINDBLOWN LOESS OVER CLAY
ALCOHOL
12.5 %
T.A
5.9 G/L
RS
3 G/L
BRIX
21.8
PH
3.23
HARVEST
DATE
24 MARCH
Harvest & Winemakers’ notes:
Tasting notes:
L’Ile de Beauté (Ilse of Beauty) is the
evocative name given to the French island
of Corsica, located in the Mediterranean
sea. After three vintages in Corsica,
winemaker David Clouston became
passionate about producing fresh, pure and
vibrant salmon coloured Rosé. Two Rivers
L’Ile de Beauté Rosé is Mediterranean
in style using Pinot Noir grapes. Grapes
grown specifically for Rosé production
were sourced from two small vineyards in
the Southern Valleys.
Light salmon pink in colour, this
Mediterranean style Rosé has aromas
of orange blossom and wild strawberry
overlaying nuances of almond meal and
caramel, reminiscent of a great pâtisserie.
The generous palate exudes fleshy tangelo
and watermelon flavours and finishes dry
with a twist of cracked pepper. An ideal
match with all Mediterranean cuisine.
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
www.tworivers.co.nz
2015 ‘Tributary’ Pinot Noir
Marlborough (Sustainable)
soils
friable silt loam topsoil over clay loam
alcohol
13.5%
t.a
5.5 g/l
rs
<2 g/l
brix
23.3
ph
3.64
harvest
dates
23rd march to 31st march 2015
Harvest & Winemakers’ notes:
Tasting notes:
Sourced from 50% Southern Valleys, 25%
Upper Wairau, and 25% Ward vineyards.
The grapes were hand harvested and
gently de-stemmed before undergoing
fermentation by both naturally occurring
wild vineyard yeasts and cultured varieties.
30% whole bunch clusters were added
to the ferment for an increased lift in
aromatics and structure. The resulting wine
was aged in both new (25%) and seasoned
French barrels for 11 months. Unfined and
unfiltered. Aging potential 6 years.
Colour: Dark crimson.
Bouquet: Lifted floral aromas of violets and
cassis mingle with dark fruits and a savoury
earthiness.
Palate: The palate is brooding and meaty,
has firm structure, velvety tannins and
is interlaced with crunchy red fruits and
cherry cola flavours. This tightly knit wine,
while young, will age gracefully and reward
cellaring.
David Clouston & Ashley Holland Winemakers
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
www.tworivers.co.nz
2014 ‘Altitude’ Pinot Noir
Marlborough (Sustainable)
soils
a fragile mix of clay,
loam over gravely sub soils.
alcohol
13.5%
t.a
5.6 g/l
rs
<2 g/l
brix
24.0
ph
3.71
harvest
dates
22nd march to 7th april
Harvest & Winemakers’ notes:
Tasting notes:
The ‘Altitude’ Pinot Noir is the pinnacle
of the Two Rivers range. Only 10 very
special barrels (coopers: Ana Selection,
Sylvain, Mercurey) were classed superior
enough to make the ‘Altitude’ blend.
80% of the fruit was from Ward, the
southern most village in the Awatere
Valley (Francis vineyard) with clay rich
soils. The remainder of the fruit was
from the Wairau Valley (Rive Vineyard).
This wine offers an insight into the
Two Rivers’ philosophy of being at the
forefront of super premium winemaking
with a dedication to finding the extremely
unique and special micro climates hidden
deep in the valleys of this world famous
winegrowing region.
David Clouston & Ashley Holland Winemakers
Colour: dark ruby/purple
Bouquet: Deep and layered vanilla bean,
toasty aromas, mingled with violet and
boysenberry.
Palate: A rich, full-bodied pinot noir,
bursting with succulent boysenberry and
blue fruit. The wine was aged in 40% new
oak, giving smoky, savoury flavours.
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
www.tworivers.co.nz
Our Vineyards
wairau vineyard
awatere vineyard
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
brookby
hill vineyard
southern
valley
omaka valley, southern vallys
www.tworivers.co.nz
Our Winery
awatere vineyard
rosé production
hand picking
french barrels
hand plunging
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
www.tworivers.co.nz
In the Press
gourmet wine traveller,
australia
john szabo, wine align,
canada
winestate magazine,
australia
nz international wine show
the great new zealand pinot noir
classification
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
winestate magazine,
australia
www.tworivers.co.nz
Marketing Collateral
flyer
pull-up banner
backing board
poster
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
backing board
brochure
www.tworivers.co.nz
Awards & Accolades
TWO RIVERS ‘ CONVERGENCE’
SAUVIGNON BLANC
TWO RIVERS ‘WAIRAU
SELECTION’ PINOT GRIS
- Trophy Winestate, Aus ­Best NZ & Australian
- Top 10 Cuisine Magazine
- Gold medal New Zealand Royal Easter Show
Sauvignon Blanc (2012)
- Gold International Wine and Spirit Competition
- Gold NZ International Wine Show, NZ
TWO RIVERS
‘JULIET’ RIESLING
- Trophy & Gold Marlborough Wine Show, NZ (2012)
(2011)
(2010, 2011, 2012)
- Gold NZ International Aromatics Competition, NZ
(2012)
- Double Gold Sydney top 100 Wine Awards, Australia
(2010, 2013)
- 5 stars Sam Kim’s Wine Orbit, NZ (2011, 2012, 2013)
-5 stars Bob Campbell MW, NZ (2012)
- 5 stars Winestate Magazine, Aus (2010)
- 5 stars Michael Coopers Buyers Guide, NZ (2010)
- 5 stars Yvonne Lorkin NZ (2011)
- 5 Stars Raymond Chan (2011, 2012) Aromatic
Wine Show
- 5 Stars Raymond Chan, NZ (2012)
-5 Stars Winestate Magazine, Aus (2011)
- 5 Stars Sam Kim, NZ (2011)
- Gold NZ international wine show, NZ (2010)
TWO RIVERS PINOT NOIR
ALTITUDE
- 93 points Bob Campbell MW, NZ (2011)
- 94 points Gourmet Wine Traveller (2011)
- 5 Stars Sam Kim’s Wine Orbit (2010)
- 91 points Margaret Swaine, Wine Align, Canada
(2011)
-93 points Natalie Maclean, USA
- 93 points Gourmet Wine Traveller
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
www.tworivers.co.nz
Distribution
Australasia
New Zealand Procure Liquor
Email: [email protected]
or [email protected]
Asia
Hong Kong
House Wines Steve House
Email: [email protected]
www.corks.com.hk
Singapore
Certain Cellars
Email: [email protected]
www.certaincellars.com
South Korea
Vinokims
Email: [email protected]
United Kingdom
The Antipodean Sommelier
Email: [email protected]
www.taswines.co.uk
Lea and Sandeman Wine Merchants
Email: [email protected]
www.leaandsandeman.co.uk Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
Philglas and Swiggott
www.philglas-swiggot.com North America
Ontario
Authentic Wine & Spirits
www.interbev.ch
USA
Domaine Select Wines & Spirits
www.domaineselect.com
Europe and Scandinavia
Germany
Wine in Motion GmbH Email: [email protected]
www.wine-in-motion.com
Austria
Wein & Co www.weinco.at
The Netherlands
de Wijnbeurs
www.wijnbeurs.nl
Denmark
SB Vin
www.sbvin.dk
Finland
Alpha Beverages Email: [email protected]
www.altia.fi
www.tworivers.co.nz
The ‘Essence’ of Two Rivers
We are only beginning our journey and invite you to join
us as we explore the true potential of Marlborough and
the unique micro climates it has to offer.
We strongly believe the diverse soils
and climates within each sub region
offer new and exciting possibilities
which we will continue to explore.
Handcrafted New Zealand wines that truly reflect the valleys from where they come
We promise to offer wines that are pure,
fresh, focused and textural, wines that are
captivating and true.
Welcome to Marlborough’s wine frontier.
www.tworivers.co.nz
Two Rivers of Marlborough PO Box 5180, Springlands, Blenheim 7241, New Zealand
Phone: +64 (0)21 527 550 Fax: +64 (0)3 577 8780 Email: [email protected]
www.tworivers.co.nz