Tasting Note The County was originally not considered to be sauvignon ground, as this variety doesn’t love cold winters. But this bottling, and one or two others, are establishing my faith in the idea, with a stylistic, mineral quality leaning to Sancerre more so than New Zealand or Bordeaux. This is a slim, clean and crisp, almost delicate version but with just-right textural flesh. The nose lacks some intensity but is correct, with grapefruit/lemon, green onion, dill and green apple. It is light bodied, fresh yet elegant, with some bitterness on the finish. The length is very good to excellent. Last tasted April 2026.

Backgrounder Rosehall Run is a pioneering County winery based on chardonnay and pinot noir, but Dan Sullivan has always loved to dabble, so he planted one row of sauvignon blanc in 2001. In 2013, he increased it to one acre, with low vigour root stocks in the rocky soils. Yields are very low, half those of the average New Zealand and Sancerre production. Processing minimized oxygen to preserve the varietal’s vibrant character. The wine was fermented in 500-litre acacia barrels. Five yeast treatments were employed, including one-third wild yeast. No new barrels were used, allowing the fruit to shine.