New Zealand's most famous, flagship wine region and arguably the best, Marlborough is located on the north eastern tip of South Island. Renowned for its Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough helped put New Zealand on the international wine map. Offering more than just its outstanding Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough's climate, terroir and closeness to the sea make it perfect for growing a variety of grapes.
Marlborough's climate is dry with sunny days and cool nights, providing a long growing season which gives the wines their vibrant flavours. The combination of low rainfall and free-draining, stony soils enables a great variety of grapes to be grown in the region. The main grape grown in Marlborough is Sauvignon Blanc, with 17,725ha of vines planted. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has now become a brand in itself with its distinct herbaceous green pepper, gooseberry and cut grass flavours, it is very popular all over the world.
It was David Hohnen of Cloudy Bay fame who discovered and exploited Marlborough's terroir and historically put Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc on the map. Back in 1980s, very little wine was produced in Marlborough until in 1985 when David created Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, reflecting the expression of the Marlborough wine region. 30 years later, the demand for these classic Marlborough Sauvignons has soared. Its zingy flavours make it a fantastic pairing with seafood and shellfish with citrus flavoured sauces. Great with salads and raw vegetables, it is perfect for drinking over the summer months.
Marlborough isn't just about Sauvignon Blanc, there are some fantastic wines produced in the region including, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and various aromatic varieties including Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Viognier. Pinot Noir is the second most widely planted grape variety in Marlborough with just over 2,400 ha planted. Marlborough Pinot Noir's key flavours are red and dark berry fruit with a hint of spice, firm structure and acidity (typical with Marlborough wines) with savoury, earthy characteristics.
This summer, delve into our fantastic selection of Marlborough wines.
SHOP ALL MARLBOROUGH WINES
