The Dog Point Vineyard in Marlborough was established by Ivan and Margaret Sutherland, along with James and Wendy Healy. Today it stands as one of the region’s most respected organically farmed, family-owned estates.
Prior to establishing Dog Point, Ivan Sutherland served as the founding viticulturist at Cloudy Bay, while James Healy was that winery’s head winemaker. After their years working together at Cloudy Bay, they shared a vision for hands‑on, terroir‑driven winemaking - and in late 2004 they launched the Dog Point label.
Ivan and Margaret, among the earliest grape‑planting pioneers in Marlborough during the late 1970s, contributed mature estate vineyards spanning the Wairau Valley which Dog Point continues to access.
With some of the largest certified organic vineyards holdings in New Zealand, Dog Point has a strong focus on biodiversity. Present on the vineyard are native plantings and walkways, an organic vegetable garden, orchards, beehives, olive and pine nut trees.
All fruit (including the Sauvignon Blanc) is hand-picked from low cropped vines. Wines are bottled without fining and minimal filtration, a reflection of their low interventionist ethos.
