Good Pair Days - Folium Sauvignon Blanc 2019

Folium owner and winemaker Takaki Okada is originally from Japan, and he arrived to New Zealand in 2003, after spending 2 years at famed American university UC Davis. Takaki first worked at the Clos Henri Vineyard in Marlborough for 6 years, prior to purchasing his 8.5 hectare vineyard block in the Brancott subregion in 2011.

His vision was clear from the start - total adherence to organic viticulture - hence the name 'Folium' which is Latin for leaf. It is Folium's challenge to be sustainable both environmentally and financially, shifting to certified organic viticulture and dry farming practices. Takaki has always been producing wines that represent each vintage via minimal intervention, and the wines are graceful and pristine, a world away from the shrill fruit bombs that the region can produce. The wines are sensitively made at nearby winery Fromm, who also work organically, and are a ray of light in the Marlborough region.

The wines of Folium are quite different to the standard NZ Savvy Bees - made using only organic fruit, they offer a more elegant take on the variety. This is crisp but textural, with a lemony core and some riper white peach and pear notes. There's concentration to the fruit, with a juicy finish. Lovely.