Lawson's Dry Hills

Lawson’s Dry Hills celebrated 30 years of winegrowing in 2021, and it is well-established as one of Marlborough’s stalwart producers with a wonderful reputation for the quality of its wines, especially with Sauvignon Blanc and the aromatic varieties.

Ross and Barbara Lawson are one of the pioneers in the New Zealand wine scene. They founded the winery in 1992. They had been growing grapes on their Alabama Road vineyard since 1980 and decided to start producing their own range of wines. Their first vintage included Gewürztraminer. It was just fifteen tons and was managed by Ross from the old red tin shed on the property, which is still standing and forms part of the winery cellar door. Sadly, Ross passed away in February 2009. The company is now run by general manager and director Sion Barnsley, his family being shareholders from the start.

The team around winemaker Marcus Wright shows an open-mindedness with respect to winemaking styles. Marcus has been in the company since 2001. Lawson’s Dry Hills is part of the Family of Twelve. The Family of Twelve is a fraternity of twelve of New Zealand’s most prestigious and enduring artisanal wineries.

Lawson’s Dry Hills has achieved carbon zero status having met the requirements of ISO14064 and received accreditation from Toitu. The winery is the only New Zealand wine producer to be certified with both ISO14001 and ISO14064.

ISO 14064 specifies the principles and requirements for quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals. It includes requirements for the design, development, management, reporting and verification of an organisation’s GHG inventory.

Lawson’s Dry Hills was awarded winner of the wine industry category at the 2021 Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards.

The Awards judges praised Lawson’s Dry Hills for their commitment to reducing their environmental impact. Awards Coordinator and Judge, Bev Doole said, “These internationally recognised certifications reflect the culture at Lawson’s to improve and innovate across a wide range of areas, including recyclable and biodegradable packaging, generating solar power and storing water off the winery roof.”

Reviews & Accolades:

• Top Wineries of New Zealand 2018 & 2019 & 2020 & 2021 – Bob Campbell MW
• ”Lawson’s Dry Hills makes a very smart range of table wines with a strong emphasis on aromatic white varieties. They are consistently good and, on occasions, great...“– Bob Campbell MW
• "Lawson’s Dry Hills deserves a special mention, making superb white wines in a notable elegant and spare style." – Joanna Simon, Sunday Times UK
• "OUTSTANDING WINERY regularly producing exemplary wines." – James Halliday