Seresin is one of Marlborough’s most thoughtful organic and biodynamic wineries, making expressive New Zealand wines with texture, savoury detail and a strong sense of place. Founded by acclaimed cinematographer Michael Seresin, the estate takes a slower, more considered approach than the region’s mainstream style — wild-yeast ferments, hand-tended fruit, biodynamic farming and time in barrel or bottle before release. Learn more

About Seresin Wines

Seresin is a Marlborough winery with a very different rhythm to the region’s high-speed, high-volume image. Founded in 1992 by New Zealand-born cinematographer Michael Seresin, the estate brings together organic farming, biodynamic principles and a distinctly European sense of patience. These are not the sharp, shouty Marlborough wines many people expect. Seresin wines are more layered, textural and savoury, with fruit purity supported by wild yeast fermentation, careful handling and time before release.

The range includes beautifully composed Marlborough classics such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, along with the Momo wines, which offer a more approachable entry point into the Seresin style. Across the range, the wines tend to show bright fruit, natural freshness and a gentle savoury edge rather than simple fruit sweetness.

Highlights

❦ Organic and biodynamic Marlborough wines from New Zealand
❦ Known for elegant Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir
❦ Wild yeast fermentation adds savoury texture and vineyard character
❦ Vegan-suitable wines — explore more vegan wines
❦ Fun fact: founder Michael Seresin is also the cinematographer behind films including Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Bugsy Malone and Midnight Express

Where Is Seresin From?

Seresin is based in Marlborough, New Zealand — one of the world’s best-known regions for Sauvignon Blanc, but also increasingly respected for Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. The estate is connected to Renwick and the surrounding Marlborough vineyard country, where long sunshine hours, cool nights and free-draining soils help build aromatic intensity while preserving freshness.

While Marlborough is famous for punchy, tropical Sauvignon Blanc, Seresin takes a more restrained and textural path. The wines still have freshness and aromatic lift, but they are often more savoury, mineral and food-friendly than the region’s more commercial styles. For a broader look at this variety, explore our organic Sauvignon Blanc collection.

Organic, Biodynamic and Sustainable Farming

Seresin is deeply committed to organic and biodynamic farming. The estate approach treats the vineyard as a living farm system rather than just rows of vines. Biodynamic farming encourages biodiversity, soil health and natural balance, with animals, composts, cover crops and preparations all playing a role in the life of the vineyard.

This approach matters in the glass. Healthy soils and careful farming can give wines more texture, clarity and vitality. Seresin’s wines often show that balance beautifully — pure fruit, fine acidity, savoury complexity and a natural energy that makes them especially good at the table. You can discover more producers working this way in our biodynamic wine range.

What Makes Seresin Different?

Seresin describes itself as a new world winery with an old world approach, and that captures the style well. The wines are made without rushing, using wild yeasts from the vineyard to ferment slowly and build savoury complexity, texture and a stronger connection to place.

Today, Seresin wines are made by Tamra Kelly-Washington, a Marlborough-raised winemaker whose first role was in the laboratory at Seresin before she gained experience in California, the Hunter Valley and Margaret River. Her work sits naturally within the Seresin philosophy: thoughtful farming, gentle handling and wines that express the vineyard with purity, texture and quiet confidence.

Rather than chasing maximum fruit impact, Seresin focuses on detail: earlier picking for freshness, sensitive winemaking, time in barrel or bottle, and a style that favours balance over obviousness. The result is Marlborough wine with elegance, depth and a softer, more grown-in character.

Did You Know?

Michael Seresin came to wine through film, food and Italy. After building an international career as a cinematographer, he was drawn to the culture of wine around the table — the conversations, the people, the connection to land and season. That cinematic background still feels woven into the winery: light, timing, texture and atmosphere all matter. It is a lovely detail that the Seresin label carries Michael’s handprint, making each bottle feel personal rather than corporate.

What Does Seresin Wine Taste Like?

Seresin wines are generally elegant, textural and expressive, with freshness at the core. The Sauvignon Blancs tend to show citrus, passionfruit, herbs, nectarine and mineral acidity, often with more palate weight and savoury detail than a typical Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The Chardonnays can be flinty, citrus-led and gently nutty, with lees texture and a refined mineral line.

The Pinot Gris is generous but balanced, often showing pear, quince, spice and white florals, while the Pinot Noir leans into cherry, plum, violet, spice and forest-floor notes with fine tannins and savoury length. Across the range, the wines are dry, food-friendly and polished without losing their organic, low-intervention soul.

Why We Love Seresin

We love Seresin because the wines offer a more thoughtful version of Marlborough. They still have the freshness and brightness people love from New Zealand wine, but with more texture, restraint and vineyard character. They are beautifully suited to drinkers who want organic and biodynamic wines that taste clean, composed and quietly complex.

Seresin is also a wonderful choice for anyone moving from conventional wine into organic wine. The wines are familiar enough to enjoy straight away, but they bring extra depth through wild fermentation, biodynamic farming and a more patient approach in the cellar.

Food Pairing Ideas

Seresin wines are very food-friendly because they combine freshness with texture. The Sauvignon Blanc works beautifully with seafood, herby salads, goat’s cheese, asparagus, Vietnamese-style dishes and citrus-led chicken. The Chardonnay suits roast chicken, grilled fish, creamy vegetable dishes and mushroom pasta.

Seresin Pinot Gris is lovely with fragrant Asian dishes, roast pork, pumpkin, soft cheeses and lightly spiced vegetarian food. The Pinot Noir is a natural match for duck, salmon, mushroom risotto, roast vegetables, lamb cutlets and relaxed weekend grazing boards.

Who Will Enjoy These Wines?

Seresin is a great match for drinkers who enjoy organic and biodynamic wines with polish, purity and a little savoury complexity. Sauvignon Blanc lovers who want something more refined than the usual tropical Marlborough style will find plenty to love here. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir drinkers who prefer elegance over heaviness will also find a natural fit.

These wines suit people who care about how wine is grown, but still want the bottle to feel special on the table. They are thoughtful, modern, beautifully made and easy to recommend for dinner parties, gifts or a better midweek glass.

FAQs about Seresin Wines

Is Seresin organic?

Yes. Seresin is certified organic, with biodynamic farming at the heart of the winery’s approach.

Is Seresin biodynamic?

Yes. Seresin is certified biodynamic. Biodynamic viticulture goes beyond organic farming by treating the vineyard as a living ecosystem, with soil health, biodiversity and natural rhythms all playing a role. You can explore more wines like this in our biodynamic wines collection.

Are Seresin wines vegan friendly?

Yes. Seresin wines are vegan suitable, making them a strong choice for customers looking for organic, biodynamic and vegan-friendly New Zealand wines. You can also browse our wider vegan wines range.

What is Seresin best known for?

Seresin is best known for organic and biodynamic Marlborough wines with a textural, savoury and refined style. Sauvignon Blanc is an important part of the range, alongside Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.

What does Seresin Sauvignon Blanc taste like?

Seresin Sauvignon Blanc is dry, fresh and aromatic, with citrus, passionfruit, herbs, nectarine and mineral acidity. Compared with many Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs, it has more texture and savoury detail. For more styles, explore our organic Sauvignon Blanc category.

What does Seresin Pinot Noir taste like?

Seresin Pinot Noir is elegant and savoury, with cherry, plum, violet, spice and earthy forest-floor notes. It is medium-bodied with fine tannins, bright acidity and a long, food-friendly finish. Pinot lovers may also enjoy browsing our organic Pinot Noir collection.

Does Seresin use wild yeast?

Yes. Seresin uses wild yeasts from the vineyard to ferment the wines. This slower approach adds savoury complexity, texture and a distinctive sense of place.

Where is Seresin winery located?

Seresin is based in Marlborough, New Zealand, with its winery in Renwick. Marlborough is famous for Sauvignon Blanc, and Seresin also shows how beautifully the region can handle Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.

Who founded Seresin?

Seresin was founded by Michael Seresin, a New Zealand-born cinematographer with a long international film career. His love of wine, food and European wine culture shaped the estate’s patient, organic and biodynamic approach.

Who makes Seresin wines now?

Seresin wines are made by Tamra Kelly-Washington, a Marlborough-raised winemaker with deep experience across New Zealand, Australia and California. Her approach aligns beautifully with Seresin’s organic and biodynamic foundations, focusing on gentle handling, natural acidity, texture and vineyard expression.

Who will enjoy Seresin wines?

Seresin wines are ideal for drinkers who enjoy elegant organic wine with freshness, texture and quiet complexity. They are especially good for anyone who likes Marlborough fruit purity but wants a more refined, less obvious style.

Industry Accolades

Seresin has earned strong recognition from respected wine critics for its elegant, biodynamic Marlborough wines, especially Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. The praise is consistent with the Seresin style — refined, textural, savoury and expressive rather than overly obvious.

❦ 94 points — Halliday Wine Companion: Seresin Estate Rachel Pinot Noir 2024
❦ 93 points + Special Value Award — Halliday Wine Companion: Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2023, described as having “finesse and purpose”
❦ 94 points — Cameron Douglas MS: Seresin Leah Pinot Noir 2023, rated Excellent
❦ 92 points — JamesSuckling.com: Seresin Leah Pinot Noir 2023, noted for black cherry, crushed stone and fresh acidity
❦ 91 points — Wine Advocate: Seresin Leah Pinot Noir 2023, described as elegant and fine
❦ 16.5 points — JancisRobinson.com: Seresin Leah Pinot Noir 2023

These reviews highlight why Seresin remains such a respected name in organic and biodynamic Marlborough wine. The wines are regularly recognised for freshness, texture, purity of fruit and a more sophisticated expression of New Zealand’s cool-climate vineyards.