The name is apt and the region is dry as a bone. Dry River Wines is situated in the driest region in the North Island, Martinborough, which may be a mere 90 minutes drive from Wellington but is a world away in terms of climate, as anyone who has planted anything in the ground there can attest. Wilco Lam is just such a person. 

He is the winemaker at Dry River today and he introduced his latest wines to the Regional Wines & Spirits retail team late last month, along with a snapshot of the winery's story. It's always inspiring, as is the fact that Wilco is now the winemaker at the helm of this iconic winery - and, as such, he is taking the wines of Dry River to new heights which retain the integrity of the brand and its exceptional aromatics. Here are the new releases we have (and, in a couple of cases, will soon have) in store at Regional Wines. 

Pop in for a look or to pick up a bottle or two or, if time is tight, click our links below to buy these great wines online. 

New Dry River wine releases in store

2020 Dry River Chardonnay - buy here

Big, bold and beautifully elegant. Full bodied creamy flavours are balanced by bright fresh acidity which adds length, crispness and finely tuned detail to this impressive Chardonnay.

2020 Dry River Craighall Riesling - buy here

A great Riesling from an outstanding vineyard in Martinborough, which is meticulously managed and produces exceptionally high quality aromatic grapes. Flavours of lime zest, green apples and a core of ripe peach all intermingle in this complex, youthful Riesling which will reward cellaring.

10 grams residual sugar

2020 Dry River Pinot Gris - buy here

A rich style of Pinot Gris with a dry taste and off dry residual sugar, which adds body and weight. Super impressive wine.

10 grams residual sugar

2020 Dry River Lovat Gewurztraminer - buy here

Rich in style but balanced by fresh acidity to add definition to the luscious beautiful old fashioned red rose aromas and floral flavours in this wine.

10 grams residual sugar

2019 Dry River Pinot Noir - buy here

A spring frost in  2019 lowered the production of Pinot Noir at Dry River by about 30%. The resulting wine is outstanding in concentration with juicy acidity, beautiful concentration, softer tannins than in the past. Oak has steadily been reducing and this vintage includes 20% new oak, all hogsheads. Whole bunch fermentation of 45% adds savoury flavours and dark tannins. Unfined and unfiltered.

2017 Dry River Lovat Syrah - buy here

Big, bold, dark and delicious. We have one bottle of this beauty left and eagerly await the 2018 which we tasted - and which will be in store soon. Watch this space.

Buy and explore Dry River Wines here

When was Dry River founded?

The Dry River Wine story began in 1979. Neil and Dawn McCallum planted their vineyard on the dry gravel soils that are now known as the Martinborough Terraces. These are highly regarded for producing grapes of high quality, particularly because they are free draining and allow vines to soak up the warmth from the stones as well as avoid becoming waterlogged with cold feet.

The Dry River name goes back a long way

The name Dry River was first used in the Wairarapa for one of the first sheep stations, in about 1877. The station was later sold by the Seddon Government and renamed Dyerville, which is near to Dry River Wines today.