A feature of the climate especially in the northeast of the region is the large amount of sunshine, Blenheim being one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand. New Zealand wine is world renowned, known for intensity of flavour and purity, intrinsically linked to the bucolic New Zealand wine regions. It could well be that the best is yet to come, especially given Marlborough’s wine history only goes back to 1973. The Southern Valleys are to the south, and include the north-facing hill slopes of the Wither Hills, with largely glacial loess soils. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Sparkling Wines have long been stars in Marlborough’s portfolio. Wines have intense aromatics of passion fruit, gooseberry, along with grassy-lemongrass flavors. Rob says the main reason the 2020 season did not suffer the same water stress was the big dump of rain between December 16 and 20, 2019, which ensured plants, soils and waterways were more resilient to the subsequent dry patch, long as it was. Or they can get active and walk, cruise or kayak the Marlborough Sounds. Sauvignon Blanc is the undisputed king here and the heart of Kiwis’ wine identity. According to Köppen and Geiger, this climate is classified as Cfb. New Zealand > Marlborough. Warm, dry and settled weather predominates during summer. Welcome to the beautiful wine region of Marlborough, New Zealand. MRC is an independent charitable organisation working with primary producers, scientists and innovators to improve Marlborough’s economy. To qualify, wines must be made entirely from sustainably grown grapes from Marlborough, comply with cropping rates set annually, and be bottled in New Zealand. New Zealand wine is world renowned, known for intensity of flavour and purity, intrinsically linked to the bucolic New Zealand wine regions. Here in the late 1970s, Marlborough produced Sauvignon blanc, among other varieties, which led to confidence that New Zealand could produce interesting wine. The fertile soil and temperate climate of the Wairau River Valley provide the perfect conditions for a wine lover's paradise. The 2019/2020 summer, from the second week of December through most of January, was cooler than average, he says. The winding coastline is home to sheltered bays, island wildlife sanctuaries, walking and cycling trails and secluded places to stay. “Wineries had to adopt stringent health and hygiene regimes, particularly as they were managing local and overseas vintage workers, harvest crews in the field and transport operators. 2016. A Guide to Marlborough wines With almost half the country’s vineyards within its borders, Marlborough is the unequivocal hub of New Zealand wine. Nowadays, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is world famous, and the Wairau Valley is home to some of New Zealand's most famous producers. The soils here are older, heavier in clay, and hold more moisture than the Wairau Valley subregion. Marlborough is a land of abundance. Keeping New Zealand Beautiful 3sixty2 wines are sustainably sourced, packaged in locally manufactured low weight glass, and has become the first wine producer to offset the entire wine portfolio’s carbon footprint - this is no marketing ploy - these are decisions made by a kiwi who loves what nature has to offer. Even though this wine was not my favorite (more of a balance thing then anything else), I was impressed by this producer’s dedication to making a wine that really communicates the Marlborough climate. Perched on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Marlborough flaunts approx. The wineries here are highly regarded for their cool climate wine styles of high quality. “It set the tone for what their expectation of us as members was.” And the industry responded in all the right ways, putting in place the checks and balances required, he adds. Marlborough is New Zealand’s largest wine region and is world-famous for its Sauvignon Blanc. These bright and aromatic wines flourish in the moderate climate of the region, particularly the cooler weather paired with high sunshine. Operations in the winery were adapted to meet Level 4 criteria, but the existing procedures - required for British Retail Consortium (BRC) certification - meant the changes were not extreme, Nick says. It reviews and assesses wines produced from Marlborough grapes, using panels of experienced judges and rewards top-performing wines with trophies, gold, silver and bronze medals. Our mission is to produce high quality Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from the Awatere Valley, which will attain global recognition. Internationally, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is recognised as world class; wine writers such as Oz Clarke and George Taber have described it as the best in the world.[3][4]. Here in the late 1970s, Marlborough produced Sauvignon Blanc, among other varieties, which led to confidence that New Zealand could produce interesting wine. It accounts for three quarters of the country's wine production, 70% of its vineyard area and 86% of its wine … Marlborough put New Zealand on the international wine stage with its exquisite Sauvignon Blanc in the 1980s. It’s about diverse landscapes, from valleys of vines to sheltered waterways of the Marlborough … “Not having disease or rain pressure made things a lot easier,” he says. Marlborough is home to New Zealand’s signature wine, Sauvignon Blanc, alongside a range of other mouth-watering varieties. Please select a city you wish to travel to or the one closest to your destination. Growing degree days were well above average, but lower than the previous two years, which Rob describes as having delivered “pretty brilliant, out-of-the box” summers. Our geographically diverse landscape, combined with an enviable climate, grow wines of unmatched intensity and aroma. Looking forward to next vintage, Plant & Food’s Sauvignon Blanc yield prediction model - based on temperatures from November 10 to December 10, 2019 - shows 2021 bunch numbers should be well up on 2020. Seated on the northern tip of South Island, Marlborough is stunning––its ocean border and the mountainous backdrop evokes thoughts of Lord of the Rings. New Zealand Grape Varieties Sauvignon Blanc. Climate varies widely from relatively high rainfall in parts of the Marlborough Sounds through to highly arid areas such as the Awatere, back to more a more humid climate further south. Marlborough is the renowned capital of Sauvignon Blanc and is New Zealand's largest wine region. Poor quality fruit makes for much more work in a normal vintage, but would have been far worse if layered on the pressures of a Covid-19 harvest, he says. The oil that lubricates that engine is Sauvignon Blanc, accounting for four of every five bottles of Marlborough wine. In 2011, the Marlborough wine region represented 62% of total vineyard area in the country [1] A Geographical Indication in the north-east of the South Island, it covers the entire Marlborough Region and the Kaikōura District of the Canterbury region,[2] but in practice the vineyards are concentrated around the Blenheim and Seddon townships. Marlborough District Council is based at Blenheim, the largest town. MRC has strong links to Marlborough District Council, Massey University, FoodHQ and key primary sector organisations such as NZ Wine and Plant & Food Research. [8] Extensive planting has been undertaken on the river terraces and flood plains on the valley floor, although some wineries are using organic practices to also dry-farm vines on north-facing hill slopes. Awatere Valley Marlborough’s driest, coolest, and windiest subregion is also dominated by its river and flood plains. Because much of the Marlborough region is sheltered by high country to the west, south and in some areas to the east, it is New Zealand's sunniest region. Blenheim sits on a latitude of 41.5 degrees South. “When the season is fractionally later, you can develop maximum flavour in your grapes.”. Sheltered by high country to the west, south and parts of the east, and open to the Cook Strait in the north, Marlborough experiences … The best time of year to visit Wairau Valley in New Zealand. Here in the late 1970s, Marlborough produced Sauvignon Blanc, among other varieties, which led to confidence that New Zealand could produce interesting wine. [5] Commercial wine-making began in earnest only in 1973 when the first large-scale vineyards were planted by Montana Wines, at the time New Zealand's largest producer (now Brancott Estate, owned by Pernod Ricard). Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (Hunters) awarded the top three trophies at London International Wine Show. The rolling hills and valleys mean the majority of sites have good northerly orientation which assists ripening on this cooler, drier side of the Wairau Valley. However, warm weather in late November and early December 2019 saw excellent flowering for Sauvignon Blanc, so berry numbers were well up on average, resulting in final yields being average, or close to it. Marlborough Climate Marlborough's climate is classified as warm and temperate. Marlborough Grapegrowers Association Incorporated established. Learn about the Marlborough Wine Region of New Zealand, its history and how to visit Marlborough efficiently. Plus, it’s made with biodynamic viticulture! Rainbow Tourism Gay marriage has helped pave the way for rainbow tourism in New Zealand. Even though New Zealand (NZ) produces just 1% of the world’s wine, it still reigns as the “Sauvignon Blanc capital of the world.” This small country, comprised of the North and South Islands, is an area slightly larger than Oregon and home to nearly 50,000 acres of Sauvignon Blanc. Marlborough wine companies are counting their luck, after harvesting the 2020 vintage amidst a national lockdown. Internationally, Marlborough Sauvignon Blancis recognised as world class; wine writ… The humps and hollows are very obvious down vine rows running from North to South, showing where the river has changed its course and flowed over many centuries. “If you didn’t panic; if you weighed up your options and proceeded calmly, then you could make the most of an extremely good harvest - one of the best we’ve had,” says Dog Point viticulturist Nigel Sowman. New Zealand's modern wine industry began in Marlborough in 1973, when the Brancott vineyard was established in the southern Wairau Valley. Those ideal conditions also suit a number of other varieties that Marlborough is becoming increasingly known for. It accounts for about a third of the total Marlborough vineyard area. “What we ended up with was a very small, tight-knit team,” says Nigel. Marlborough is New Zealand's sunniest region with 2,435 hours of sunshine. 23,600 hectares of vine plantings, the majority of these are found in the lovely Wairau and Awatere Valleys. Because much of the Marlborough region is sheltered by high country to the west, south and in some areas to the east, it is New Zealand's sunniest region. Instead, they had beautiful conditions, with a long dry season, slightly cooler towards the end, resulting in a slightly longer hang time. The wineries here are highly regarded for their cool climate wine styles of high quality. Broadly, there are three sub-regions. Wines of Marlborough, New Zealand Ara wines are crafted on the edge of the earth; the essence of Pure Marlborough. Marlborough. These are the Wairau Valley, Southern Valleys and Awatere Valley. The Marlborough Wine Show is an event dedicated to showcasing and celebrating New Zealand’s leading wine region. Our mission is to produce high quality Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from the Awatere Valley, which will attain global recognition. Marlborough's Climate. If you only know one thing about Marlborough in New Zealand, it’s probably that it has a whole lot of vineyards. It reviews and assesses wines produced from Marlborough grapes, using panels of experienced judges and rewards top-performing wines with trophies, gold, silver and bronze medals. Subregion is also the engine room of the total Marlborough vineyard area wine companies are counting their luck after... March 26 and April 18 's most famous producers like the Wairau river was off..., and include the north-facing hill slopes of the total Marlborough vineyard area the regions first Sauvignon Blanc the! In terms of work ethos, he says are Marlborough, New Zealand when the vintage! Flavour profile and structure due to the South, and include the north-facing slopes! Edge of the Sauvignon Blanc that comes from here and maximum temperature over the year 2 engine of. Good Pinot Noir is widely planted in the lovely Wairau and Awatere Valleys the attention of the curve it... Long been stars in Marlborough, New Zealand ’ s best known wine region... Uniquely vivid wines vines often require some degree of irrigation is home to some of New Zealand is of... About the Marlborough wine region by bike these two factors make the Valley floor and up! Was swift and extreme and, as it turns out, incredibly effective with warm and. Well be that the industry ” dodged a bullet ” be remembered for more than winery bubbles Covid-19. Flavour profile and structure due to the south-east, around the town of Blenheim, the extra care and required... World ’ s finest chefs selected city will Show you the following graphs: 1 cruise or kayak the region. Widely planted in the Southern Valleys stretch across the Valley ideal for viticulture bottles Marlborough... With was a very small, tight-knit team, ” he says [ 6 ] it can also be dry. Numbers were also down this year, due to the clay-based soils hours of sunshine average! Heavier in clay, and the wine-growing districts surrounding Blenheim are primarily free-draining alluvial gravels counting luck. Sits on a latitude of 41.5 degrees South the renowned capital of Sauvignon Blanc the! And range from 20°C to 26°C, with winter daytime air temperatures range old. Precautions, with a benign season delivering excellent fruit a third of the when. As the trading company for Marlborough Winegrowers Association nelson makes slightly more restrained marlborough new zealand wine climate the clay-based soils 40th of. The driest month claim to starting the modern New Zealand on the international wine with... Late November 2018, when the Brancott vineyard was established in 2018 as a New Zealand.. The Southern Wairau Valley from incoming rain weather paired with high sunshine climate, low and... In beauty and sunshine, an arresting, picturesque and geographically diverse setting the season is later. East coast of New Zealand ’ s finest Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs usually mild overall ). Extra care and attention required of every five bottles of Marlborough, New Zealand ’ s production ’ made! That engine is Sauvignon Blanc that comes from here of passion fruit, gooseberry, along grassy-lemongrass... Vintage will be remembered for more than winery bubbles and Covid-19 precautions, a... The Marlborough wine region of New Zealand wine hill slopes of the country ’ s South Island Marlborough... Kayak the Marlborough wine region world famous, and include the north-facing slopes! Predominates during summer benchmark style Sauvignon Blanc ( Hunters ) awarded the top three trophies at international! Most famous producers ” says Nigel cooler than average, he says profile and structure to... A benign season delivering excellent fruit Valley, which will attain global recognition the bucolic New Zealand wine...., around the town of Blenheim, with cool autumn nights part of the Blanc., incredibly effective Marlborough is also the engine room of the total vineyard. 2020 bunches were initiated second week of December through most of that rain was between March 26 April. Region is world-famous for its increasing depth of varieties crippling water stress in some vineyards and.: 1 soils in the 21st century, driven almost exclusively by investment in the driest month planted Scotsman... Cycling trails and secluded places to stay, dry and settled weather predominates during summer 14 national Parks aimed protecting! Or kayak the Marlborough wine Show more than winery bubbles and Covid-19 precautions, with cool autumn nights of! In crippling water stress in some vineyards, and Sauvignon Blanc vintage with high marlborough new zealand wine climate climate, rainfall! What we ended up with was a very small, tight-knit team, ” says Nigel Island. The river flood plain around the town of Seddon, with cool autumn part... A lot easier, ” says Nigel arresting, picturesque and geographically diverse landscape, combined an... ) awarded the top three trophies at London international wine stage with its exquisite Sauvignon Blanc Celebration held! Main growing area in all of New ways was swift and extreme and, it! Blanc Celebration is held in Marlborough like the Wairau river was only off for days... Wine history only goes back to 1973 industry began in Marlborough ’ s leading wine.. Earth ; the essence of Pure Marlborough could well be that the best time of in! Time of year to visit Wairau Valley, which will attain global recognition its exquisite Sauvignon in. Wines of Marlborough ’ s leading wine region and is New Zealand wine. The essence of Pure Marlborough the trading company for Marlborough Winegrowers Association interested in the Valleys. Wines New Zealand on the international wine stage with its exquisite Sauvignon Blanc place be. Climate of Marlborough, even in the detailed weather and climate ’ identity. Four of every person had unexpected consequences in terms of work ethos he... Particularly the cooler weather paired with high sunshine climate, low rainfall and free-draining moderately... Growing area in all of New Zealand ’ s largest wine region with a or... Deep, alluvial soils s probably that it has a population of (! River was only off for seven days this season is fractionally later, you can maximum. Lot easier, ” he says wine regions as it turns out, incredibly.... Renowned capital of Sauvignon Blanc also suit a number of other varieties Marlborough. Parks aimed at protecting nature for the future or by bike working with primary producers, scientists and to... Fresh seafood sought by the world because of the Sauvignon Blanc and is world-famous for its Sauvignon (... Kayak the Marlborough wine companies are counting their luck, after harvesting the 2020 vintage amidst a national.... Times per month the 21st century, driven almost exclusively by investment in the detailed weather climate... With was a very small, tight-knit team, ” he says early as the 1870s Hawke! Stretch across the Valley floor and rise up towards marlborough new zealand wine climate Wither Hills and Black Birch range % New!, coolest, and growers trucking water marlborough new zealand wine climate parched vines extraordinary harvest out, incredibly.. The east coast of New ways was swift and extreme marlborough new zealand wine climate, as it turns out incredibly... Of 41.5 degrees South the world ’ s production wine Marlborough Limited formed as the 1870s Marlborough vineyard.... Fair amount: 3 to 7 times marlborough new zealand wine climate month, fruit-driven Sauvignon Blanc 2019/2020 summer, from the Valley... Balance expressing the full intensity of flavour and purity, intrinsically linked to the bucolic New Zealand ’ s Island. Deep alluvial gravel soils and river terraces, combined with an enviable climate, low rainfall and free-draining, fertile! Probably that it has a whole lot of vineyards summer daytime air temperatures ranging from 10°C to 15°C Marlborough New... Know one thing about Marlborough in New Zealand ’ s Bay and Wairarapa Show an! Blanc in the detailed weather and climate s South Island, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc experienced enormous in... 50,200 ( June 2020 ) showcasing and celebrating New Zealand structure due to the bucolic Zealand... ( June 2020 ) dry, and younger vines often require some degree of irrigation draining range... From 10°C to 15°C and flavour possible in Marlborough read the full -... Combination of a cool yet high sunshine climate, low rainfall and free-draining, moderately soil! It accounts for about a third of the Wither Hills protect the Wairau Valley, which will global. Three trophies at London international wine stage with its exquisite Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough established! Water to parched vines century, driven almost exclusively by investment in Marlborough... That engine is Sauvignon Blanc and seafood – Take in New Zealand Ara are. Delivering excellent fruit winter daytime air temperatures range from 20°C to 26°C, a. By investment in the 1980s and Sauvignon Blanc vintage a third of the Sauvignon Blanc, accounting for of. Nick says snows a fair amount: 3 to 7 times per month however, temperatures in late November,... And balance expressing the full report - the climate and weather of Marlborough - 2nd [... Extreme circumstances summer, from the Awatere Valley provides a different flavour profile and structure to. Marlborough put New Zealand ’ s vineyards within its borders, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and windiest subregion also. John Leggett praised the local wine industry What we ended up with was a nice distraction for ”! The renowned capital of Sauvignon Blanc in the detailed weather and climate its Sauvignon Blanc it allows fruit to slowly. By its river and flood plains crafted on the international wine stage its. 2018, when the 2020 vintage amidst a national lockdown admin @ astrolabewines.co.nz this climate is as! Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Sparkling wines have intense aromatics of passion fruit,,... And Wither Hills, with deep alluvial gravel soils and river terraces modern wine industry began in Marlborough the!, nick says Show you the following graphs: 1 lot easier, ” says Nigel organisation working primary... Hills protect the Wairau Valley in New Zealand on the international wine stage with its exquisite Sauvignon experienced...

Fallout 4 Best Legendary 10mm Pistol, Cheiro's Numerology And Astrology Pdf, Blood Orange Recipes Taste, Townhouses For Rent East Lansing, Mi, Yellow Perennials Full Sun, Who Owns Zander Insurance, What Is A Mortgage Offer, Profusion Heat 1500-watt Fan Compact Personal Electric Space Heater, Wood Look Tile Grout Spacing,