Winemaker Simon Waghorn is one of Marlborough's most experienced producers of high quality dry aromatic whites and, increasingly, of Pinot Noir, which is the grape used to make this lively, lovely, fresh and dry new Durvillea Rose. The pale pink colour comes from a short time on grape skins (aka minimal skin contact) which provides texture and body to this fresh, medium bodied pinkie. We love it. 

The story of Astrolabe... and Durvillea

Diversity, history and family ownership are among the reasons to try the outstanding range of wines from Astrolabe, which was founded in 1996 in Marlborough by winemaker Simon Waghorn and his partner in life and wine, Jane. 

Simon has forged a reputation for being one of New Zealand's most respected producers of aromatic white wines after winning an almost embarrassingly long string of awards for his Sauvignon Blancs. He has also forged a name for adventurously diverse winemaking - he produces dry flinty whites from the most southern vineyard in Marlborough at Kekerengu on the coast about an hour's drive south of Blenheim. He is the only winemaker to produce wines from here. 

He is also one of the few in this country to make Albarino, Chenin Blanc and a consistently outstanding range of wines from the organically certified hillside sloping site that is the Wrekin Vineyard in Marlborough. 

The winery remains family owned and is now run by two generations, including Simon and Jane as well as their adult daughters.