Ara Zero, Sauvignon Blanc, NV

'One-Liner'
Marlborough Sauvignon without the booze – passionfruit, pineapple and grapefruit with plenty of freshness and a crisp, lively finish.

Tasting Note
Pale straw in the glass, with lifted aromas of grapefruit, lime and passionfruit alongside fresh green herbs and ripe tropical fruit. The palate is juicy and expressive, with pineapple, citrus and blackcurrant joined by a subtle grassy edge characteristic of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Bright acidity keeps the generous fruit beautifully refreshed, while a small addition of grape juice restores some of the texture normally supplied by alcohol. There is a pleasing balance between fruit sweetness and a clean, dry feel through the finish. Fresh, aromatic and unmistakably Sauvignon, with citrus and tropical fruit lingering behind.

Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Sub-Region: n/a
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
ABV: 0.5%
Friendly: Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable

Awards & Critics' Scores
IWSC 2022 – Gold Medal, 95/100
IWSC 2024 – Bronze Medal
Global Low & No Alcohol Wine Masters 2025 – Silver Medal
World Alcohol-Free Awards 2025 – Bronze Medal

The Story
Ara has been making wine in Marlborough since 1999, drawing fruit from vineyards spread across the Wairau Valley and building its identity around the purity and intensity of New Zealand’s most famous cool-climate region. Ara Zero begins life in exactly the same way as a conventional Sauvignon Blanc: the grapes are harvested, fermented and made into a full-strength Marlborough wine before anything is removed. Spinning-cone technology then gently separates the delicate aromas from the wine before extracting the alcohol at low temperature. Those captured aromatics are returned afterwards, together with a small amount of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc grape juice to rebuild texture and balance. The aim is not to mimic a soft drink, but to preserve the passionfruit, grapefruit, herbaceous freshness and crisp acidity that make Marlborough Sauvignon so recognisable in the first place.

Perfect With... (click me for the recipe)
- Meat/fish: Thai-Style Chilli and Lime Prawns with Jasmine Rice
- Vegetarian: Asparagus, goat’s cheese and herb tart
- Vegan: Fennel, courgette and lemon risotto