Marlborough

Marlborough, New Zealand’s largest wine region, is renowned for its cool maritime climate, long sunshine hours, and diverse soils. The region is sheltered by mountains, creating low rainfall and dry growing conditions, ideal for slow, even ripening.

Approximately 30,000 hectares of vines are grown here, around 70% of the country’s total. And whilst the majority is dedicated to the world-famous Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough winemakers offer a wide range of varieties, from elegant Pinot Noir to intense Chardonnay, and vivid Aromatics such as Riesling and Pinot Gris.

Indeed, winemakers continue to push boundaries, and explore the potential of the region’s diverse soil compositions and micro-climates, to produce innovative and exciting wine styles.

Kei puta te Wairau - 'The place with the hole in the cloud'

Marlborough Sub-regions

The unique characteristics of the Marlborough region owe much to the Wairau, Awatere, and Waihopai Rivers, which deposited gravelly alluvial soils, and the glacial activity in the south and inland regions which see more clay and silt loams.

The Wairau Valley is the heart of Marlborough wine country. It stretches along the Wairau River, with vineyards planted on the alluvial gravel soils, deposited over thousands of years. Blenheim is the main town and hub for the region’s wine industry, and the ideal location for growing its hallmark Sauvignon Blanc, as well as Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.

The Southern Valleys include the Omaka, Fairhall, Brancott, Ben Morvan and Waihopai Valleys. They have more clay in the soil, and are heavier. A wide range of varieties are grown, according to the specific sites, with Pinot Noir and aromatic whites the most popular.

The Awatere Valley, is the most southerly of the sub-regions, lying south of the Wairau Valley. It’s cooler, drier and windier, and sites are often elevated too. The Pinot Noir is bright, and the Sauvignon Blancs have more herbaceous and minerally notes.

Regional Wine Styles

Sauvignon Blanc

A regional and global heavyweight, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is aromatic, fruity, herbaceous and exotically tropical, balanced by mineral depths too.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is becoming a stronger and stronger varietal in Marlborough too. Typical wines express flavours of dark cherry and plums with a red-fruited spicy background.

Aromatics

Exciting examples of Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurtztraminer are to be found in the region. The styles vary, but the region’s vivacity is to be found in all of them.

Chardonnay

Marlborough produces well-structured Chardonnay, with delicious stonefruit and citrus flavours. Levels of oakiness, differ, but all have excellent intensity and complexity.

‘Méthode Traditionelle’

Production of high-quality ‘champagne style’ wines is small but extremely well respected. They have a bright citrus fruit with fine body and acidity and are first-rate quality.

Appellation Wine Marlborough (AWM)

Established in 2018, AWM is the region’s badge of authenticity. More than fifty wineries are members, including most of the region’s iconic names.

Why does it matter? Well, because you can be assured that each of their certified wines comes exclusively from recognised sub-regions within Marlborough, are produced from sustainably certified vineyards, meet growing and harvest quality criteria, are bottled in New Zealand, and are independently tasted and approved by experts.

An AMW wine is a true expression of Marlborough, it’s environmental stewardship and commitment to protecting the region’s future.