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Welcome to the beautiful wine region of Marlborough, New Zealand. Nigel says it was a vintage of two halves for the company, with the “very labour intensive” process of hand picking Pinot Noir and Chardonnay largely completed by a full complement of staff, before Covid-19 changed the face of Marlborough’s harvest. Similar Latitude Cities. The winding coastline is home to sheltered bays, island wildlife sanctuaries, walking and cycling trails and secluded places to stay. Winter days often start with a frost, but are usually mild overall. And in lifestyle choices, making this one strikingly unique place to be. Marlborough is New Zealand's largest grape growing and wine making region. Wairau Valley vineyards are planted in the old, gravelly, riverbed soils of the Wairau River which now form the base of the Richmond Range. Marlborough is New Zealand's sunniest region with 2,435 hours of sunshine. “We had a really good group of people and a great team vibe, with everyone really committed.”, Staff were given a few days off at the start of Easter, but lockdown conditions meant they were eager to get back to work, he says. The lower night temperatures would have helped to retain acids, with cool autumn nights part of the magic of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. [7] Wine writer George Taber recounted in 2006 that Cloudy Bay is "what many people consider to be the world's best Sauvignon Blanc" and Oz Clarke wrote that New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is "arguably the best in the world. Winepress Magazine celebrates its 25th anniversary. We are targeting the premium wine market and are developing recognition for our brands as signifying quality New Zealand white wine, particularly in China. Marlborough has come to define what many think of as Sauvignon Blanc; crisp and zingy flavors of gooseberry, boxwood, fresh cut grass, and lemongrass. Sauvignon Blanc is the undisputed king here and the heart of Kiwis’ wine identity. 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. It allows fruit to ripen slowly, ensuring intensity and naturally high acidity; the perfect combination for producing delicious Sauvignon Blanc. Marlborough Grapegrowers Association Incorporated established. “The sun was shining every day and people were turning up to work happy.”. Our mission is to produce high quality Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from the Awatere Valley, which will attain global recognition. The cold nights, hot sunny days, and low rainfall at the top of the South Island are the ideal conditions to create this crisp and aromatic white wine. The region has a population of 50,200 (June 2020) . Marlborough's thousands of acres of vineyards and dozens of wineries create delectable wines of diverse varietals, from full-bodied Pinot Noir to herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc. Wine; Wine Club. Oversupply of unsuitable varieties leading to Government-sponsored vine pull. Marlborough Climate Marlborough's climate is classified as warm and temperate. Or they can get active and walk, cruise or kayak the Marlborough Sounds. In 2011, the Marlborough wine region represented 62% of total vineyard area in the country In beauty and sunshine, an arresting, picturesque and geographically diverse setting. Nestled at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, Marlborough is one of the world’s most distinctive and exciting wine regions, its exquisite Sauvignon Blanc launching the country onto the international wine stage in the 1980s and now home to some of the world’s most remarkable cool climate wines. Here are some average weather facts we collected from our historical climate data: During the month of January, February, March and December you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) and 25 degrees Celsius (77°F). Vintage 2020: Great fruit from an extraordinary harvest. A big dump of rain in late December or early January can result in big berries, “and the opposite is also true”, he says. Shop All Marlborough Wines New Zealand’s largest wine region is world-famous for its crisp, fruit-driven Sauvignon Blanc. The first International Sauvignon Blanc Celebration is held in Marlborough. Commercial planting began at Montana’s Brancott Estate at Fairhall. 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. That resulted in crippling water stress in some vineyards, and growers trucking water to parched vines. You’ll also find good Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer. The soils here are naturally free draining and range from old stony riverbeds to fine, deep, alluvial soils. A combination of a cool yet high sunshine climate, low rainfall and free-draining, moderately fertile soil produces uniquely vivid wines. [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 can lay claim to starting the modern New Zealand wine industry. 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. New Zealand Wine Regions Marlborough A combination of a cool yet high sunshine climate, low rainfall and free-draining, moderately fertile soil produces uniquely vivid wines.. Marlborough put New Zealand on the international wine stage with its exquisite Sauvignon Blanc in the 1980s.. Over 20,000ha of vines (around 2/3 of the national total) are under the care of local wine … Find information on Marlborough wine grape varieties, wine styles, recommended wineries throughout Marlborough, regional events and much more. "[4][3] The suitability of the region and later success of Daniel Le Brun's sparkling wines were also sufficient to attract significant investment from Champagne producers. The 2019/2020 summer, from the second week of December through most of January, was cooler than average, he says. Tastings are welcome by appointment. Marlborough Climate Marlborough's climate is classified as warm and temperate. Over 20,000ha of vines (around 2/3 of the national total) are under the care of local wine producers, making it the country's largest wine region. New Zealand has 14 National Parks aimed at protecting nature for the future. [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). These are the Wairau Valley, Southern Valleys and Awatere Valley. “There were 17 of us that made this harvest go smoothly to capture the quality.”, Dog Point founder Ivan Sutherland was a steady hand at the helm throughout, and resolved that they needed to continue hand picking, staying true to the ethos of Dog Point, while showing commitment to the sustainability of contractors, says Nigel. Our geographically diverse landscape, combined with an enviable climate, grow wines of unmatched intensity and aroma. Flanked by Black Birch and the Kaikoura Ranges, the Awatere Valley is the most geographically distinct subregion and stretches a long way south to the edge of Marlborough’s Geographical Indication. Nowadays, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is world famous, and the Wairau Valley is home to some of New Zealand's most famous producers. 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]. These bright and aromatic wines flourish in the moderate climate of the region, particularly the cooler weather paired with high sunshine. Climate and Average Weather in Marlborough, New Zealand. On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 3 to 7 times per month. It accounts for three quarters of the country's wine production, 70% of its vineyard area and 86% of its wine … New Zealand wine is world renowned, known for intensity of flavour and purity, intrinsically linked to the bucolic New Zealand wine regions. 40th anniversary of Marlborough’s first commercial plantings. 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 soils in the Wairau Valley and the wine-growing districts surrounding Blenheim are primarily free-draining alluvial gravels. Marlborough is about world famous Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand’s largest winegrowing region, and the soils and enviable climate that create it. Marlborough District Council is based at Blenheim, the largest town. “And we have been able to do it extremely efficiently, keep people employed, and stay true to our same quality levels.”, He admits if the lockdown had occurred in a year like 2018, when disease and weather pressure made for incredibly complex harvest conditions, the industry would have struggled to get through. Marlborough is the largest winegrowing region in New Zealand, and world-famous for the perfect climate and soil conditions which help to produce its award-winning Sauvignon Blanc. The guidance subsequently given by NZW was well received by companies, Nick says. Marlborough Winegrowers Association celebrates 40 years. Phylloxera outbreak first recorded and widespread by 1992. New Zealand wine is world renowned, known for intensity of flavour and purity, intrinsically linked to the bucolic New Zealand wine regions. The wineries here are highly regarded for their cool climate wine styles of high quality. Broadly, there are three sub-regions. Explore the Marlborough Wine Heritage Trail story map. Rose Family Estate winemaker Nick Entwistle says great fruit made for happy workers in the 2020 vintage, setting the tone for positive - if unusual - winery work. MRC is an independent charitable organisation working with primary producers, scientists and innovators to improve Marlborough’s economy. When New Zealand went into lockdown, Dog Point retained six vineyard staff, plus Nigel, with everyone living on the property, either in their own houses or in luxurious accommodation at The Bell Tower. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Sparkling Wines have long been stars in Marlborough’s portfolio. Weather is somewhat cool this time of year in Marlborough to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. Winter days often start with a frost, but are usually mild overall. MWE produce some of New Zealand’s finest Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs. Learn about the Marlborough Wine Region of New Zealand, its history and how to visit Marlborough efficiently. Hot days and cooler nights add to the complexity of fruit grown in Marlborough, especially the diurnal range of around 11 degrees during summer. The is a great deal of rainfall in Marlborough, even in the driest month. Warm, dry and settled weather predominates during summer. 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. This area provides a different flavour profile and structure due to the clay-based soils. Here in the late 1970s, Marlborough produced Sauvignon Blanc, among other varieties, which led to confidence that New Zealand could produce interesting wine. Taste of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Plus, it’s made with biodynamic viticulture! Introducing New Zealand. 23,600 hectares of vine plantings, the majority of these are found in the lovely Wairau and Awatere Valleys. …North Island Wine Regions Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, Wellington South Island Wine Regions Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago, Wanaka, Queenstown Northland Wine Region New Zealand's first vines were planted in … This itinerary has been designed to fit into a shorter New Zealand itinerary featuring Marlborough's two most well-known assets, wine and the Marlborough Sounds. Marlborough Mayor John Leggett praised the local wine industry for successfully handling the 2020 vintage under extreme circumstances. The Marlborough wine region attracts the attention of the world because of the brilliance of the sauvignon blanc that comes from here. 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, but in practice the vineyards are concentrated around the Blenheim and Seddon townships. Nick says the fruit had “really nice balance” this year. “Not having disease or rain pressure made things a lot easier,” he says. They create a zone of high sunshine as clouds are buffered by the hills, preventing any rain from spilling over into the main valley. Marlborough is home to New Zealand’s signature wine, Sauvignon Blanc, alongside a range of other mouth-watering varieties. Blenheim sits on a latitude of 41.5 degrees South. Marlborough wine companies are counting their luck, after harvesting the 2020 vintage amidst a national lockdown. Marlborough put New Zealand on the international wine stage with its exquisite Sauvignon Blanc in the 1980s. Here are some average weather facts we collected from our historical climate data: During the month of January, February, March and December you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) and 25 degrees Celsius (77°F). The summer daytime air temperatures range from 20°C to 26°C, with winter daytime air temperatures ranging from 10°C to 15°C. Each selected city will show you the following graphs: 1. Marlborough can lay claim to starting the modern New Zealand wine industry. Marlborough has three main grape growing subregions, each having distinctive soils and climate characteristics. Early settlers in Marlborough planted vines as early as the 1870s. The best of Marlborough. 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. Most of that rain was between March 26 and April 18. The oil that lubricates that engine is Sauvignon Blanc, accounting for four of every five bottles of Marlborough wine. This provides a cooling influence which, coupled with some of the highest sunshine hours in the country, creates the perfect environment for grape growing. Average monthly precipitation over the year (rainfall, snow) 3. Countless employees were sent home, and rigorous measures were put in place in vineyards, transport, accommodation and wineries, says Wine Marlborough general manager Marcus Pickens. Here in the late 1970s, Marlborough produced Sauvignon Blanc, among other varieties, which led to confidence that New Zealand could produce interesting wine. The Richmond Ranges and Wither Hills protect the Wairau Valley from incoming rain. First grapes planted by Scotsman David Herd in the southern valleys. Rainbow Tourism Gay marriage has helped pave the way for rainbow tourism in New Zealand. Average minimum and maximum temperature over the year 2. 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. Awatere Valley Marlborough’s driest, coolest, and windiest subregion is also dominated by its river and flood plains. Marlborough put New Zealand on the international wine stage with its exquisite Sauvignon Blanc in the 1980s. Each selected city will show you the following graphs: 1. Marlborough. Taste local wines Local amazing vineyards Stunning landscapes. These two factors make the valley ideal for viticulture. Blenheim is located in Marlborough, which is New Zealand’s best known wine growing region. 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. 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