Pioneer Block One lies just east of Blenheim township, it was once part of the Wairau flood plain and accumulated layers of idyllic, deep free draining soils over the millennia. This is the vineyard where Saint Clair discovered the remarkable quality of fruit which was to become the world famous Wairau Reserve. It is often one of the very last blocks to be harvested, its mineral intensity and rich salty finish makes a lengthy, memorable wine.

Vines on Block One are planted to fertile, pebbled alluvial silts overlying sand subsoils. The lie of land is rather flat and the proximity to the coast makes it a cooler site, with slower ripening than the majority of inland Marlborough. Carefully monitored throughout the ripening period, serious attention is given to determining the precise time for vintage. Harvesting takes place during the cool of evening as grapes achieve maximum flavour maturity and physiological ripeness. Fruit is pressed off as quickly as possible to minimize skin contact, juices are cold settled and vinified through the action of choice yeast in controlled fermenters at cool temperatures to retain power and intensity of fruit.