The 43 Degree vineyard, located in Marlborough's lower Wairau Valley, east of Blenheim, is notable for its unusual row orientation. The rows are planted at a 43-degree angle (north-east to south-west), which provides more shade to the southern aspect of each row. This results in a Sauvignon Blanc with slightly more herbaceous notes compared to those from other sites in Marlborough.

The vineyard features flat topography with even, fertile, deep, free-draining silt loam soils. The climate is slightly cooler than most of the Marlborough Valley, leading to a slower, more extended ripening period.

The fruit, sourced from this vineyard, was carefully monitored during ripening and harvested in the cool of the evening at peak flavour maturity and physiological ripeness. To minimise skin contact and juice deterioration, the fruit was quickly pressed off. Following settling, the juice was fermented with selected yeast in 100 per cent stainless steel at cool temperatures, preserving the wine's fruit flavour and freshness. This batch was chosen as a Pioneer Block wine due to its unique flavour, intensity, and complexity.

The wine offers powerful and intense aromas of crushed herb, blackcurrant bud, passionfruit, and gooseberry. This Sauvignon Blanc is distinctively Marlborough, with a fresh, vibrant palate of passionfruit, gooseberry, and crushed herb. The wine displays a wonderfully full and rich palate with striking minerality and a long, lasting finish. The crushed herb flavour is a key differentiating characteristic.