Exuberant, energetic, and very crisp, layering classic gooseberry, passionfruit, grapefruit citrus, and fresh-cut grass notes, the juicy Sauvignon Blanc wines of New Zealand are ideal to toast the start of the summer season.

2014 New World Winery of the Year from Wine Enthusiast, Craggy Range was the first New Zealand winery to produce single vineyard wines, specifically from their premier estate vineyards of Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough, and Marlborough. Established in 1998, the family-owned winery works sustainably, allowing the true character of the varieties and the terroir, to shine through their luscious, layered wines that include everything from Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir to Riesling, Syrah, Tempranillo, and more. Craggy Range Te Muna Road Sauvignon Blanc ($27) is aromatic and fresh, showing notes of citrus blossom and soft herb on the open, leading to layers of lilikoi, Key lime, white peach, crushed stone, and fresh herb. The wine is aged in French oak barriques for five months, giving a lovely richness and texture to the wine, rounding out the palate, and requiring you to go back for more.

With French roots, yet completely Kiwi, Clos Henri showcases the premium quality of Marlborough, New Zealand for producing stellar Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc from their organically operated estate. The winery was established by the famous Sancerre wine growing family of Henri Bourgeois with ten generations of well-established experience growing quality Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Bringing the Loire Valley elegance to the picturesque landscape of Marlborough, New Zealand, Clos Henri Sauvignon Blanc ($25)  showcases the lovely luscious and juicy characteristics of the variety, while highlighting a flinty, mineral note throughout the wine thanks to the historical Greywacke River Stone soil of their estate. Highly aromatic, leading with notes of tropical pineapple, citrus, and stone fruit, with crushed stone, soft herb, a touch of spice, finishing with a creamy richness, thanks to a hint of partial oak aging of the wine.

Greg and Sue White started their Marlborough winery, Whitehaven, in 1994 vowing to craft wines with an uncompromising focus on quality and integrity. Today, Whitehaven has over 300 acres of estate-owned vineyards dotted throughout Marlborough’s three sub-regions or Wairau Valley, Southern Valleys, and Awatere Valley. Whitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ($20) is zesty and fresh, revealing tropical guava, ripe pineapple tarragon, and golden grapefruit.

On the northeast side of New Zealand’s South Island, within the warm flatlands of Marlborough is the home of Ponga Wine. Named after the Ponga fern, or silver fern from the silvery color on the leaves, the plant is a shining symbol of the country. It is said to glow in the night, lighting the way through a dark forest at night. Bright and punchy, Ponga Sauvignon Blanc ($13) highlights crushed stone minerality, with peach, nectarine, freshly cut grass, and orange blossom.