Brilliant lemon yellow in aspect, with a bright nose of tropical fruit and fresh citrus zest, with some cleansing mineral notes. The palate follows in good form with tart gooseberries, ripe white peach and a hint of fresh grass, finishing with mineral and hazelnut notes. Good concentration of flavour, with firm acidity and a long finish, serve with shellfish, seafood and asparagus, or as an aperitif.

Back in the early eighties, most people looking to buy a vineyard in Marlborough were happy to purchase any apparently suitable land. The Tillers, on the other hand, were way ahead of their time in searching for a very specific site that would enable them to create something more special. They eventually found the ideal site on higher ground to the south of the valley and on the banks of the Omaka river. Here the river had washed out varied soil particles for thousands of years.

In addition to the importance of vineyard site, Mike and Robyn also realised the importance of high vineyard plant density at a time when many producers in warmer climes where planting vine rows as wide as possible. After special tractors were imported from Italy to handle the unusually narrow rows in the Isabel vineyard, cultivation began and superb grapes soon resulted.

For many years Isabel supplied fruit for other famous wineries and it was not until 1996 that the wines were released under their own label. Since then this wine has attained iconic status and many awards, owing to the uniquely restrained yet hugely concentrated style.