Stonyridge Vineyard is the ongoing dream of owner Stephen White. In 1981, Stephen returned to New Zealand after sailing a Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, skippering yachts in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and working at wineries in France, California and Italy. It was during this 3-year adventure that Stephen came to love the culture and lifestyle of the Mediterranean and the great red wines of France, Tuscany and California.
After extensive climatic research Stonyridge was discovered as the ideal site to ripen and produce a world-class Bordeaux style red wine. The first Bordeaux vines and olive trees were planted in 1982 with the help of close friends and family. In 1984, Stephen returned to Bordeaux for a final training period and completed a vintage at Chateau d’Angludet, Cantenac-Margaux under the tutelage of Peter Sichel. Stephen produced the first vintage at Stonyridge Vineyard in 1985. Two years later, he made the great 1987 Larose that rocketed Stonyridge to national fame, and attracted international attention – a wine hailed as the greatest red wine ever made in New Zealand.
Today, Stonyridge is referred to as “One of the Top Ten Must-Visit Wineries in the World” by Guardian UK and has, most recently, topped the list for the best Cabernet Merlot in The Age/ Sydney Morning Herald Good Wine Guide 2013. The Stonyridge Larose 2010 scored 97 points, making it the highest equal scoring red wine in 2013 and finished ahead of all of Australia’s most iconic Cabernet Merlots!
Stonyridge Larose is the favourite of former Prime Minister, Sir John Key and has been enjoyed by King Juan Carlos & Queen Sofia of Spain and Queen Elizabeth II, and is sold at some of the world’s best restaurants including Madrid’s top Restaurant Viridiana.
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