13 Celsius Sauvignon Blanc

13 Celsius Sauvignon Blanc is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand, bottled at 12.5% ABV in a 750ml format. The 2018 vintage earned 92 points at the Sommelier Challenge International, and the wine stands apart for its extended cold fermentation — conducted below 13 degrees Celsius for over 30 days — a process designed to lock in delicate aromatics that shorter, warmer fermentations would lose.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5%  |  Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand  |  Style: Cool-Fermented Sauvignon Blanc  |  Producer: 13 Celsius Vineyards

Production & Heritage

13 Celsius Vineyards sources its fruit from two of Marlborough's most celebrated sub-regions: 55% from the Wairau Valley and 45% from the Awatere Valley. The Wairau component contributes ripe tropical fruit character, while the Awatere grapes bring herbaceous intensity and bracing acidity. After pressing, the juice is transferred to small stainless steel tanks and fermented at temperatures kept below 13°C for a minimum of 30 days — a notably longer and cooler fermentation than industry standard. This slow process preserves volatile aromatic compounds, yielding a wine with pronounced fragrance and textural finesse. The bottle itself features an innovative thermochromic label that shifts from grey to blue when the wine reaches its ideal serving temperature of 13°C (55°F).

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright citrus — lime zest and grapefruit — before moving into lychee, sweet herbs, and a subtle green layer of pea shoots and freshly cut grass. It is aromatic without being aggressive, showing the restraint that extended cold fermentation encourages.

Taste: The entry is tart and precise, led by citrus and guava fruit. At mid-palate, a crisp mineral edge emerges, tightening the wine's structure and teasing refined acidity. The overall impression is dry, vibrant, and clean, with enough tropical weight to keep the palate engaged through each sip.

Finish: The finish is refreshing and medium in length, with lingering notes of citrus pith and a subtle herbaceous undertone. A fine mineral thread carries through to the close, leaving the palate energized rather than fatigued.

How to Drink 13 Celsius

Serve chilled to 13°C — the color-changing label removes all guesswork — and drink from a standard white wine glass to concentrate the aromatics. This wine is equally enjoyable on its own or as a cocktail ingredient. A White Wine Spritzer highlights the citrus and mineral backbone without drowning it in sweetness. A Hugo Spritz (elderflower liqueur, prosecco, and a splash of Sauvignon Blanc) pairs naturally with the wine's sweet-herb character. A Sauvignon Blanc Margarita — subbing part of the citrus juice for this wine — leverages the guava and lime notes for a tropical twist on the classic.

Best For

• Warm-weather gatherings where a crisp, aromatic white sets the tone
• Introducing New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to friends exploring the varietal
• Pairing with a raw bar or seafood-forward dinner
• Bringing a conversation-starting bottle — the thermochromic label is a genuine novelty

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 13 Celsius taste like? It delivers tart, dry citrus and guava fruit framed by crisp minerality and refreshing acidity. Aromatic notes of lychee, sweet herbs, and grass add complexity beyond its bright, clean palate.

How does 13 Celsius compare to Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc? Both are widely available Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs, but 13 Celsius leans more heavily on extended cold fermentation to preserve delicate aromatics, resulting in pronounced lychee and sweet-herb notes. Oyster Bay tends toward a slightly more fruit-forward, mainstream profile, while 13 Celsius emphasizes mineral texture and aromatic intricacy.

Is 13 Celsius good for beginners? Yes — its vibrant fruit character and clean acidity make it an accessible entry point into Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, while the temperature-sensitive label helps new wine drinkers learn proper serving temperature by sight.

Where is 13 Celsius made? 13 Celsius Sauvignon Blanc is produced by 13 Celsius Vineyards in Marlborough, New Zealand, using grapes sourced from both the Wairau Valley and Awatere Valley sub-regions.

What foods pair well with 13 Celsius? Fresh oysters and raw shellfish complement its mineral backbone. Goat cheese salads echo its herbaceous aromatics. Ceviche mirrors its citrus acidity. Thai green curry finds balance against the wine's tropical fruit and bright acid. Grilled white fish with a squeeze of lime is a clean, classic match.

What sizes does 13 Celsius come in? 13 Celsius Sauvignon Blanc is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is 13 Celsius worth the price? It positions as an accessible, entry-to-mid-tier Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that punches above its weight thanks to a distinctive production method and a 92-point score from the Sommelier Challenge International — strong credentials for the category.

Why 13 Celsius?

The defining detail here is the fermentation regime: holding juice below 13°C for over 30 days is a genuine commitment to aromatic preservation, and the results are measurable in the glass. The dual sourcing from Wairau and Awatere valleys adds structural complexity that single-site bottlings in this tier rarely achieve. A 92-point score from the Sommelier Challenge International validates the approach with independent critical recognition. And the thermochromic label — shifting color at the wine's ideal serving temperature — is not mere gimmick; it solves a real problem for anyone who has guessed wrong pulling a bottle from an inconsistent refrigerator.