The vineyards of Lake Chalice enjoy the climatic conditions which have made Marlborough the main wine-growing region for New Zealand. Warm, sunny autumn days, coupled with cool nights produce wines with a vibrancy and zing that are distinctively Marlborough.

Falcon Vineyard
Falcon Vineyard was the foundation site for Lake Chalice Wines, situated in the heart of Marlborough's Wairau Valley and on part of an old river course. Vines must be carefully coaxed and nurtured to grow on its stony, sandy soils. Harvest yields are low but the fruit is intensely flavoured, hence our motto: let the fruit do the talking.

Quarry Block
Our immediate neighbour is a stone and gravel quarry, giving you some idea of the poverty of the soil. In a joint venture with Fulton Hogan this exhausted land was rehabilitated and planted in Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. This work was awarded a Green Ribbon by the Ministry for the Environment. The unique terroir has been enhanced by mulching and planting cover crops between rows. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir were first harvested in 2004 and the site has been extended by 'QBII', another four-hectare block being planted in Merlot and Pinot Gris, in an ongoing project.

Eyrie Vineyard
Eyrie Vineyard was purchased in 2000. Situated in the picturesque Waihopai Valley on the southern side of the Wairau Plain, the 12ha (30 acre) block is being developed for Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc production. A high clay content in its soil profile is well suited to bringing out the best in Pinot Noir. A test block of Pinot Gris produced its first crop in Vintage 2005.

Talon Vineyard
Lake Chalice Wines is very excited with the development of their new Talon Vineyard in the Dillons Point area immediately to the east of Blenheim.

The 30 acres (12 hectare) of land is, by Marlborough standards, fertile soil with silty loam to a depth of at least 1.5 metres. The block is one of the last in the area to be planted in vines. Winemaker Matt Thomson and manager Phil Binnie identified this area as ideal Sauvignon Blanc country some time ago and spent 18 months searching before being able to secure this block in 2007.

The entire block has been planted in Sauvignon Blanc on S04 rootstock. First production is eagerly anticipated in April 2009.

We are positive that the fruit will add another dimension to the Lake Chalice blend and give our customers further reason to enjoy our Sauvignon Blanc range. It will mean we take Savvy from all the main sub-regions of Marlborough (Awatere Valley, Rapaura, Lower Waihopai, Renwick and now Dillons Point Road) and will further our ability to maintain a consistent style from vintage to vintage.

In full production it will provide an additional 180 tonnes of grapes or around 14,500 cases annually.

The photo shows a Californian quail surveying the vineyard, with lush mustard and barley planted as green mulch.

Pinot Envy
Phil's own 'hobby' vineyard is a 1ha (2.5 acres) block on the outskirts of Blenheim. The home of managing director/grape grower Phil Binnie it is closely-planted Pinot Noir and a hands-on operation for Phil in his 'spare time'.

Contract Growers in various areas of Marlborough have been carefully selected to add volume and blending options with Lake Chalice Wines' own fruit. Winemaker Matt Thomson and grape grower Phil Binnie and Ged Boekholt work closely with growers to ensure fruit is of the highest standard.