The richest of New Zealand’s premium wine regions
Here you’ll find Marlborough, the country’s largest wine-growing region and one of the richest in premium wine, accounting for 10 percent of New Zealand’s annual wine production. It’s also famous for its Sauvignon Blanc wines (the majority of New Zealand’s production), which are typically more fruity, tropical and herbaceous than their French counterparts.
Let your nose lead you to this region’s best spots: Wineries like Cloudy Bay and Villa Maria have a cult-like following from Pinot Noir fans around the world.
Fuller-bodied and aromatic wines
With the proliferation of savoury, herb-driven white wines that are often likened to a bouquet of freshly picked herbs, you might be surprised to learn that Marlborough is also known for some quality red wines. Although they make up only a small percentage of the region’s total production, Marlborough’s red wines tend to be fuller-bodied and aromatic, often with fruit flavours ranging from ripe summer peaches to red cherries and blackcurrants.
Grape varieties
There are several different grape varieties grown in Marlborough, but sauvignon blanc is the most important of these. In fact, it is the most widely planted variety in all of New Zealand. Wines from Marlborough tend to be full-bodied and aromatic, with ripe summer peach, citrus fruit, gooseberry and aromatic grassy flavours. Oak ageing adds complexity a spice character to some wines. Chardonnay represents about 10% of the region’s plantings but is increasing in popularity. The wine tends to be rich and complex with flavours of ripe apricots, nectarines and tropical fruit. There are also a small number of pinot gris (pinot grigio), riesling and gewürztraminer wines produced in Marlborough – mostly made as varietal wines but sometimes blended with sauvignon blanc or chardonnay grapes.
Only a few hundred hectares are planted in red wine grapes, with a greater concentration of pinot noir or chardonnay for white.
Wineries with small village-style operations
Marlborough is one of the smaller wine regions in New Zealand with about 20 to 30 wineries. Most of these are small village-style operations, which means that you can visit several places in one day and meet a lot of people along the way, including winemakers. This makes for a more intimate experience than you’ll find in some of the larger wine regions.
The region is also home to an interesting history. It was first established by whalers who found it a convenient stopover spot on their voyages from Europe to Australia and Asia. These days, Marlborough is known for its stunning landscapes and diverse range of activities like skydiving, mountain biking, kayaking and hiking that keep visitors entertained between tastings at wineries.
Drive through the Marlborough region and pop into some of the wineries. You’ll discover a genuine passion for their product, with many owners having lived in the area before becoming part of the wine industry. It’s not uncommon to find four generations working side by side on each property, bringing different skills and knowledge to the job.
You can even taste it in their Sauvignon Blancs—the pride they take in producing a world-class wine is reflected in its flavour!
The history of wine in Marlborough
It began in 1874, when Englishman James Smith first planted Pinot Noir in South Wairarapa, but it wasn’t until the early 1900s that young English migrants became involved.
By the 1930s there were more than 1,000 acres of vineyards in Marlborough and a small number of these were dedicated to sparkling wine production. This took place mostly at Blenheim’s Codrington winery where James Smith had established New Zealand’s oldest commercial winery. The company continued producing still and sparkling wines until its closure in the late 1980s. Today, the old winery buildings house an exhibition on the history of wine and viticulture in Marlborough.
Marlborough’s most famed label, Wairau River
Tucked into the Wairau Valley, Wairau River is New Zealand’s oldest vineyard. By 1932 well over 100 acres (40 ha) had been planted, which was only about 40 percent of what would eventually become Marlborough’s most famed label. It’s also a white-wine lover’s paradise; this is where you’ll find some of the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc.
And now for something completely different: Pinot Noir. The Wairau Valley offers Pinot Noir with an elegance that few regions can match. While still emerging, these reds are already attracting their share of attention from wine lovers worldwide.
New Zealand’s most famous wines
New Zealand is one of the world’s preeminent wine-producing countries. From its beginnings in the 1970s, the country’s wine industry has developed into an internationally respected producer of mostly aromatic white wines and elegant, balanced reds.
Wine is now a major export for New Zealand and it remains one of the country’s largest industries.