For many years I have been enamored by the pungent, zesty, varietal wines from the Marlborough region on New Zealand’s South Island.  The world genre of Sauvignon Blanc has been totally redefined in little more than 20 years by this fascinating region.

The first vines were planted in 1973 in the Wairau Valley and have also expanded to the Awatere Valley.  The region has approximately 1600 sunshine hours, it has low growing season rainfall, a relatively long growing season, excellent gravel loam soils, good water availability and low maximum temperatures.  What does all this mean? Bloody good Sauvignon Blanc is what it means.  Despite some Spring Frost risk, the region is also ideally suited to producing other cool climate varieties such as Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.

Scenically, the region is extremely beautiful.  Rounded hill tops run along the ocean on one side and jagged mountain sides frame the other end of the valley.  The Wairau vineyards are on relatively flat land while the Awatere Valley sees more undulation.

This region is the current darling of the world’s wine press, however there are still many undiscovered gems that have not made it to our shores.  There are some great regional examples of Sauvignon Blanc, a couple of cracker Pinot Noirs and Rieslings that would make the Germans blush.   While the holy trinity of sheep, rugby and Sauvignon Blanc still stand strong, I am excited to show you the other gems that make this place the fastest growing wine region in the world.

Wineries in this region: