Lawson’s Dry Hills Acquires Boutique Awatere Producer

Pioneering Marlborough wine producer, Lawsons Dry Hills, has purchased boutique Awatere Valley wine brands, Blind River and The Sisters, in a move which will see it further cement its position as a top end Marlborough producer.

Lawson’s Dry Hills owner and founder, Barbara Lawson said that the acquisition included the 25ha Awatere Valley vineyard which supplies fruit for both brands to ensure that the style and quality of the wines would remain unchanged.

“It’s an exciting time to be growing at the premium end of the market” said Mrs Lawson who travels widely promoting the Lawson’s Dry Hills wines.

Blind River’s Debbie Sutton will continue on in her role as general manager, building on the success of the brands to date and working with the Lawson’s team to access and maximise new opportunities.

“I’m confident that the next chapter of the Blind River business will be an inspiring one. We’ve laid some great foundations for Blind River and The Sisters and with the combined sale of the vineyard I am able to preserve the integrity of the brands while taking them forwards” said Mrs Sutton.

Lawson’s Dry Hills general manager, Sion Barnsley explains: “While looking for possible brands to acquire, Blind River became an obvious choice – offering strong brand integrity with a loyal customer base, matched with an enviable track record in producing consistently good single vineyard wines and sharing similar philosophies to ours”.

“With the challenges facing the New Zealand wine industry it is important that such family run wine brands, with their own unique story and passion to produce exemplary wines, remain part of the offering – so we will ensure it is “status quo” for Blind River going forward.”