2023 Mayfield Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Sophie's Godmother Orange Australia 750 ml

Most American wine lovers have never heard of Orange, Australia. Even in its home country, the wine region is a hidden gem.

Orange sits in New South Wales’ Central Ranges and is one of the highest-altitude wine regions in the country. That means it gets bracingly cool nights to complement its sunny days and gently warm daytime temperatures. It’s everything winemakers could want for growing grapes like Sauvignon Blanc.

But there’s not much wine made there—it’s about 6% the size of Napa Valley by acreage, for example—and so the region sits outside the limelight. That’s changing, though, as Australia shifts its domestic focus from big, bold Shiraz to a wider variety of wines. 

Mayfield is helping to lead the charge. They first planted vines in 1999, and have since become a winery to watch in the region for Australian insiders. But since Orange sits less than four hours from Sydney, domestic demand has tended to snatch up their small supply. 

Their 2023 Sauvignon Blanc emerged from a growing season marked by a cool, wet spring that demanded meticulous vineyard management. The patient approach paid off when February and March brought welcome warmth, extending the growing season and allowing the fruit to achieve optimal ripeness with perfectly balanced phenolic and flavor development.

Harvested in mid-April, the winemaking process prioritized preserving the grape's natural vibrancy. After a gentle pressing and cold settling, the juice underwent a temperature-controlled fermentation in tank. The wine was promptly filtered and bottled to capture its aromatic intensity, resulting in a fresh and expressive Sauvignon Blanc that reflects both its terroir and thoughtful production methods.