Flying into Marlborough in the northeast corner of New Zealand’s South Island offers a glimpse of the sounds that shape the terrain: deep channels of water with natural dense forested land seemingly rising from the depths. Like a scene from The Lord of the Rings, it is truly a piece of paradise. I can also imagine a Catalina flying boat gliding onto calm waters, easing into one of the small coves. Common post WWII and throughout the Pacific, these amphibious craft are long gone. Yet they gave inspiration, along with the sounds, to a wine company that has become a benchmark of Marlborough sauvignon blanc and wines of provenance: Catalina Sounds.
The southern valleys sub-region of Marlborough is home to Waihopai Valley and the vineyards of Catalina Sounds. The lion’s share of the plantings are sauvignon blanc with smaller plots of pinot noir, pinot gris and chardonnay. “Alluvial sand, silt and gravel deposited from running water, loamy in texture with stony gravels, are characteristic of what we see in these blocks,” says winemaker Matt Ward. Working this land for two decades has offered a unique understanding of the seasonal variances, microclimates and nuances particular to the vineyards here. Producing wines of consistent quality and style has shaped the brand.
“As we’ve grown and matured, our wines lend themselves to more complexity,” says Ward. Each block of vines in the vineyard delivers fruit with ripe and vibrant flavours that Ward and his team capture and blend into their unique style: “We’re blending distinct expressions of place”.
Ward speaks of punchy, ripe green notes and citrus, with a salty, briny texture. My review of the 2025 Sauvignon Blanc speaks of an intriguing bouquet and palate with earth-smoke scents of stone, core varietal fruit of apple, lemon and grapefruit, pineapple and green mango. Winning Sauvignon Blanc of the Year at the London Wine Competition in 2025 for their 2024 vintage sauvignon blanc reflected their vision and commitment.
In celebrating the 20th anniversary of the brand and wines, the Catalina Sounds team have the foundation years completed, a collective understanding on how the region is woven into the identity of the wines they produce.
“Marlborough gives us extraordinary raw material; the environment does most of the talking and it’s genuinely the reason why our wines taste the way they do,” says Ward.
Sustainable winegrowing practices and membership of Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) also ensure they are adhering to rules and guidelines that keep Marlborough’s wine voice loud and clear. The ‘Sound of White’ Sauvignon Blanc 2024 release captures these ideas, earth-smoke scents of hay and dried herbs, aromas of citrus, apple and cape gooseberry, then leesy scents and complexity. A frame of minerality and gentle lees autolysis as the wine begins to open out in glass and on the palate delivers a wine with sweet acidity and freshness, mineral and peach.
Sauvignon blanc is inextricably linked to Marlborough; the number of producers means the market will always have a steady supply, so having a point of difference is critical to standing out in the crowd. This is where Ward’s vision for sauvignon blanc is important: “I’m chasing restraint, nuance and texture, creating something that holds and builds your interest rather than just announcing itself in the first sip and being done.”
Their winemaking facility opens the doorway to provenance even wider, with “cool tank ferments, time on lees and a portion of large format oak for nuance and texture”. Chardonnay, pinot gris and pinot noir are part of the Catalina Sounds portfolio, with the 2023 Sound of White Chardonnay winning the Chardonnay Trophy at the 2025 NZ International Wine Show.
These accolades don’t just happen, there’s a dedicated team delivering quality at all levels: from vineyard to winery, to markets near and very far, with now 20 vintages under its belt this is no small milestone in the wine sector. It takes passion, vision, hard graft and a deep understanding of the land. What is next excites this small team the most.
To explore the wine range and subscribe to the Catalina Sounds newsletter for new releases, winemaker insights and updates, go to catalinasounds.co.nz
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