Separated by the Tasman Sea but united by a passion for creating exceptional wines, the De Bortoli and Marris families have come together to write an exciting new chapter in the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc story.

Marlborough winemaker Brent Marris and leading Australian winemaker Darren De Bortoli today announced a new venture; 3 Tales Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008. It is a project that has been the culmination of many months of planning. Two renowned winemaking families from either side of the Tasman, have combined their impressive winemaking skills to produce a world class Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Brent Marris has been producing Sauvignon Blanc since 1985 and was a university friend of Darren De Bortoli’s at Roseworthy College in South Australia.  It seems only fitting that when Darren looked to join forces with a Marlborough winemaker little over a year ago, Brent was his obvious choice.  “The concept of making a wine and developing a brand through a trans-Tasman partnership has a great story to it.  We were looking for someone who aligned with the De Bortoli company values and Brent Marris certainly does that.  What Brent is doing with his vineyards in Marlborough is truly exceptional.”

Getting to the wine, it is a fine example of Marlborough sauvignon blanc and certainly not a token offering with an interesting story. It is aromatic, has great fruit intensity and finishes clean and crisp. Fresh tropical fruit is complemented and checked by gooseberry and grassy characters." Mike Burnett, Launceston Examiner, 5 November 2008

Brent Marris and Darren De Bortoli thought they might get some Savvy happening between them; Marris grows and makes it, De Bortoli delivers it to Australian shelves. This has really intense juicy Marlborough fruit impact; big, fresh and beautiful. 91 points; Nick Stock, WBM100, October 2008

Wine of the Week; Looking for a wine that's Kiwi sauvignon blanc but not too much in your face? This joint effort between De Bortoli and leading Kiwi winemaker Brett Marris is midway between Marlborough and Sancerre in style. Very crisp, very drinkable. Winsor Dobbin. winsordobbin.com.au, 27 October 2008.

A joint venture between Marlborough winemaker Brent Marris and Darren De Bortoli, this show rich tropical fruit on the nose and palate with a herbaceous edge and mineral backbone and a crisp finish. Try with seafood, especially shellfish. 90 points; Mike Frost, Courier Mail, 14 October 2008

This is a new venture brokered by mates Darren De Bortoli and Brent Marris who studied winemaking together. The two winemaking families shared their skills to produce this sparkling Kiwi savvy with upfront tropical and passionfruit flavours, grassy characters, lively acidity and a crisp finish. Drink with fresh seafood. Kerry Skinner, Grape Expectations, Illawarra Mercury, 8 October 2008

Leading Kiwi winemaker Brent Marris and Darren De Bortoli from the Riverina have combined their talents and resources to produce 3 Tales, a Marlborough sauvignon blanc. It's an interesting spin on a very popular varietal style and may well have polarising potential. Yes, the familiar green grass, passionfruit and lychee characters are in evidence but there are also some pungent aromas that may not be to everyone's taste. See what you think. Paddy Kendler, Herald Sun, 16 September 2008