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Marlborough is the best-known wine region in New Zealand. Think of New Zealand wine and the first thing to come into your mind will probably be "Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc". It is the one wine style that has really put New Zealand on the international wine stage. However, in addition, the Marlborough region also makes other outstanding wines, making it a fascinating area to visit for wine sampling.
Marlborough is by far the largest of New Zealand's wine regions in the country, responsible for more than half of the country's total wine production. There are more than 23,000 hectares of vines, the great majority being sauvignon blanc.
Marlborough Location and How to Get There
The Marlborough grape growing area is situated in the Marlborough region at the top eastern corner of New Zealand's South Island. The vineyards are centered around the town of Blenheim which thus is very much a winery town.
When traveling to Marlborough from the North Island your options are a local flight between Wellington and Blenheim on either Air New Zealand or Sounds Air or to take the ferry from Wellington to Picton. The latter is ideal if you are traveling by car or campervan. Blenheim is just a thirty minute drive from Picton.
From the south, a car trip from Christchurch will take you about four hours. You might want to break your journey with a stop in either Hanmer Springs or Kaikoura.
History of Marlborough Wine
Before grapes, Marlborough was a quiet place of sheep farms and small-scale agriculture.
The first commercial grape plantings were carried out by the Montana Wine Company in 1973. At the time, it was the southernmost wine region in New Zealand and many in the industry considered it "far too far south to be any good for making wine". The first Marlborough sauvignon blancs went on to delight the world and captured many top awards at international wine shows, particularly in London.
Marlborough Climate
With mountains to the west, Marlborough enjoys the three essential qualities that make great wine - lots of sun, low rainfall and relatively cool temperatures. This means the grapes ripen slowly yet fully, retaining maximum flavors.
Sub Regions
There are three areas where most of the plantings are situated. The largest and the first to be developed is the Wairau Valley which is the closest to Blenheim. To the southeast is the slightly cooler Awatere Valley. There are also some quite recent vineyards in the valleys to the south of the Wairau.
Marlborough Grape Varieties and Wine Styles
Sauvignon Blanc: Marlborough's most famous wine grape makes a very distinctive wine, quite unlike the style from France or other countries. It is noted for its fresh flavours that can at times be grassy or herbaceous. It's a wine usually to drink while young (the wine, not the drinker!) and is ideal to drink on its own or with salads or some of New Zealand's great seafood.
Chardonnay: Chardonnay is the second most widely planted grape in Marlborough. The wines are not as tropical and fruity as those from the North Island but can develop some lovely citric tones. Often they will receive little or no oak treatment, highlighting the fresh fruit flavours.
Pinot Noir: The cool climate of Marlborough is well suited to red wines from pinot noir. When fully ripe, the grapes can produce wines with flavours of cherry and berries. Much of the pinot noir grown, however, is used in sparkling wine production (see below).
Riesling: Although not as fashionable as sauvignon blanc or chardonnay, Marlborough riesling is well worth a try. The style of the wines made can range from sweet to rather dry so they suit a wide variety of tastes.
Sparkling Wines: Realizing the potential for sparkling wine in Marlborough, several of France's Champagne Houses have made investments here and there are some impressive results. They predominantly use a blend of the traditional Champagne grape varieties chardonnay and pinot noir.
Visiting Marlborough Wineries
Many Marlborough wineries have tasting facilities and a shop where you can sample and/or buy their current range of wines. A few also have restaurants attached where you can have a meal in a lovely vineyard setting. Usually the facilities are open seven days a week.
It is not necessary to book your visit for wine tasting. One of the best ways to discover Marlborough wine is simply to head off in your car and stop wherever catches your fancy.
However, if there is a specific winery you wish to visit it might pay to call ahead to check they are open or ask at the Visitor Information Center in Blenheim.
The Center can also be helpful with suggestions on places to visit.
Marlborough Wine Festival
Held each February, this is a fun event where many of the local wineries showcase their products. It's well worth a visit!
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