Rapaura Spring Bull Paddock Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Rapaura Springs (pronounced Ra-para) has an astonishing track record of trophies and top points for its wines. Their Bull Paddock Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is the joint highest scoring New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and the highest scoring Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at 96 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2023.

The symbol of Rapaura is a circle of rocks which signifies the pure springs in their home vineyard that travel from the snow-capped Southern Alps to the valley below.

Rapaura is owned and operated by two Kiwi families, the Neylons and the Wiffins, and their connection to Marlborough runs deep. In the early eighties, the Neylons were the first family to grow, process and export green lipped mussels – the native Kiwi mollusc. Then in 1985, they bought prime vineyard land and joined forces with the Wiffins to grow orchard fruits before establishing a grapevine nursery.

Bull Paddock Vineyard is located in the Dillons Point subregion of Marlborough’s lower Wairau Valley. “This land is only good for raising Bulls”, said the previous owner of the Bull Paddock. Little did he know, back in the mid 80’s, he was selling prime land for growing premium Sauvignon Blanc.