At The Nook, we love discovering wine that not only tastes good but does good too, and our latest wine pick ticks both boxes. Tread Softly, the sustainable wine brand known for crafting lighter-in-alcohol drops without skimping on flavour, has just released two New Zealand-made varietals: a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and an East Coast Pinot Gris.
While the label has long championed freshness and vibrancy in its Australian wines, this is the first time it’s bottled something from our own backyard. The brand’s approach is simple but thoughtful, to choose the varietals that sing in each region, harvest the fruit earlier for a lighter style and ‘tread softly’ on the planet in the process.
The Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc comes from the cool Awatere Valley, where grapes are picked early to keep that crisp, citrusy brightness. Expect aromas of snow pea, ripe lime and a hint of sea spray, with a fresh, zesty palate that feels perfect for long lunches and sunny afternoons.
Meanwhile, the East Coast Pinot Gris is crafted in the northern reaches of the East Coast, where its bright citrus and green apple notes are given extra depth thanks to three months resting on yeast lees. The result is a flinty, textured wine that’s as easy to drink as it is to share.
Beyond what’s in the bottle, and your glass, Tread Softly’s sustainability cred is hard to ignore. The brand recently planted its 2.5 millionth native tree as part of its reforestation work with Carbon Neutral, a project that’s regenerating over 1,200 hectares of bushland and offsetting the equivalent of removing 35,000 cars from the road every year!
Whatever wine you’re into, sav, pinot, or maybe you simply just love supporting brands that give back, Tread Softly’s new local range is a refreshing reason to raise your glass. And the label, well it’s just oh so pretty!
Tread Softly Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and East Coast Pinot Gris are available nationally at supermarkets, liquor stores and online for $19.99.