Marlborough Wineries
HUNTERS WINES
Family owned: Jane Hunter - First Lady of Wine and an internationally respected vintner and recipient of the prestigious UK Women in Wine Award. Has an OBE and appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to viticulture.
Miru Miru (Bubbles) considered their flag ship wine.
Hunter's is the only Marlborough vineyard established in the 1970s to still be owned by its original family - more than 30 years after being founded.
Sauvignon blanc put New Zealand on the world wine map. The 1985 vintages from Hunter's, Montana and Cloudy Bay introduced the British wine-drinking public to New Zealand wine and Sauvignon Blanc has been connected with wine from the Marlborough region ever since.
LAWSONS DRY HILLS
Family owned: Barbara Lawson. Founded by the late Ross and Barbara Lawson in 1992
Specialising in Gewurztraminer and one of New Zealand's finest.
All grapes are sourced here in Marlborough. The first original owners in 1873 had grown grapes hereon this land.
Ross was one of the instigators of the screw cal with the first bottling at Lawson's in 2002.
The first original owners in 1873 had grown grapes here.
Their philosophy: To produce premium Marlborough wines of great character, quality and varietal expression.
Privately owned: Anna and Jason Fariday
The vines are 8 years old and the grapes are pre-selected for consistency and taste.
Toru is one of their most deilcious blends.
Te Whare Ra - House of the Sun
Owners comments:
Riesling 'D' SV 5182: We love Riesling as a variety for its purity, elegance and age ability and believe that our old vines (planted in late 70s/early 80s) combined with the growing conditions and climate here in Marlborough are capable of making world class Riesling. The TWR Riesling ‘M’ is Certified Organic.
Toru SV 5182: TORU – which means “three” in Maori is an aromatic blend we have created and is made from three varieties – Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris. We are passionate about these classic Alsatian varieties and we spent a great deal of time coming up with the right proportions in the blend. We were aiming for a wine that displayed the essence of all three varieties whilst creating a distinctive and interesting wine in its own right. It has the aromatic spice and weight of Gewürztraminer, the structure and length of Riesling, and the great texture of Pinot Gris. The TWR Toru is Certified Organic.
Founded in 1992 by Michael Seresin.
The subtle hand print is a symbol of the individual and creative endeavour working traditionally with the natural elements.
Orgaincally and Bio-dynamically grown, hand tended and hand picked to create artisan wines of passion, grace and spirit. Bio-dynamically certified for both grapes and olives in the internationally recognised DeMeter System. Bringing 5000 Olive trees from Tuscany in 1999 under the same system provide one of the best oils in Marlborough. Tuscan varieties with such fresh peppery and intense flavour.
Sauvignon, Viogner, Rielsling Late Harvest, Pinot Noir
Certified organic and biodynamically grown - Suitable for vegetarians and vegans - No dairy products or eggs used during production.
WITHER HILLS
Established in 1994, with vineyards strategically sited throughout Marlborough’s Wairau Valley, Wither Hills has always been dedicated to the philosophy that exceptional wines are ‘created in the vineyard’. The winery is named after the imposing Wither Hills ranges, which form a dramatic backdrop to our vineyards which enjoy long sunlight hours, cool nights and are nourished by the waters of the Wairau River.
Wither Hills Cellar Door is the perfect location to leisurely enjoy a complimentary tasting of their full range – including their exclusive Cellar Release wines. Look out over the valley from the four story tower or simply laze in the grassed courtyard on a beanbag with a great glass of wine.
WAIRAU RIVER WINES
The Rose family were pioneers in the now prestigious Rapaura district, their foresight in 1978 recognising the potential for the region’s free draining stony soil and abundantly pure artesian water. After supplying grapes for other producers for several years, Phil and Chris decided in 1991 to release a wine under their own label and so the Wairau River label was born.
Now, after almost 40 years in the industry, all five children are also involved from the viticulture and winemaking side to finance, administration and the running of the very popular Wairau River restaurant. Wairau River has partners in over 25 international markets across all channels.
VILLA MARIA WINES
Founder & Owner, Sir George Fistonich has spent five decades at the forefront of New Zealand’s wine industry that he helped develop. As an icon of the New Zealand wine industry, they are known for bold and industry-changing moves such as moving to 100% screw cap through to the emphasis on sustainable practices in every area of the family owned company.
Villa Maria lay claim to the title of New Zealand's most awarded winery for over 30 years.
SAINT CLAIR ESTATE
Owned by Neal and Judy Ibbotson, who are the directors of the winery with more than 30 years viticulture knowledge of the Marlborough region. The company is a family business with the next generation also involved.
The company's mission is to create world-class wines that exceed their customers' every expectation. Neal Ibbotson combines his extensive viticultural expertise plus Marlborough’s mix of climate and soils with the talent of one of New Zealand’s leading winemaking teams, led by Matt Thomson and Hamish Clark.
From 1994 when wines from the first vintage all won medals including gold, the name Saint Clair has been synonymous with quality and its award-winning record continues today. Top International accolades include the trophy to Matt Thomson of Saint Clair for White Winemaker of the Year at the London International Wine Challenge, September 2008 and the coveted trophy for Best New Zealand Wine Producer of the Year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2005. Saint Clair Family Estate also has the distinction of being the first New Zealand wine company to win major international trophies for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir in the same year.
NO 1 FAMILY ESTATE
The wines from No. 1 Family Estate in Marlborough, New Zealand, follow the traditions set over 12 generations by a family of winemakers in Champagne, France.
The New Zealand vineyard was set up in July 1997 by founder Daniel Le Brun, his wife Adele and their children Virginie and Remy. Their first wine, Cuvee No.1, was released in 1999.
No. 1 Family Estate is dedicated exclusively to Methode Traditionelle wines. All are produced from top-quality, hand-harvested grapes grown exclusively for making this style of wine and processed through the state-of-the-art equipment imported from Champagne.
NAUTILUS ESTATE
Owner Robert Hill Smith is a fifth-generation vigneron.
They are a small, family-owned winery based in the stunningly beautiful Marlborough region of New Zealand. We aim to craft delicious, food-friendly wines from the clean, cool and diverse valleys of Marlborough.
Their energetic and innovative viticulture and wine-making team takes the approach of blending several different fruit parcels to achieve layers of complexity in the wines, focusing on their texture and mouth-feel.
MAHI WINES
The primary emphasis for all of Mahi’s wines is texture, aiming for wines that give real palate satisfaction rather than fruit-bomb styles.
Mahi started in 2001 with an idea being to show the individuality of the various valleys and vineyards throughout Marlborough and this focus of recognising and celebrating the diversity within Marlborough still continues.
Owned by Shin Yokoi and Tom Tenuwera.
Famed for its flagship wine, Elstree Cuvée Brut, its iconic Tuscan style viewing tower overlooking the Wairau Valley, outstanding summer dining restaurant and beautiful cellar door, it’s not hard to see why Highfield is one of the most visited wineries in Marlborough.
Attracting visitors from all around the world and situated on the Brookby Ridge, Highfield is surrounded beautiful Pinot Noir vines and has gained international recognition for its range of wines since it was established in 1989.
HANS HERZOG
The estate breathes the soul of Hans and Therese Herzog – the very passionate, hardworking and hands-on owners who embrace a holistic approach. They love to share the fruit of their labour with visitors and only ever see themselves as stewards of this very special place they call home.
From classic grape varieties like Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir to rarities including Viognier, Arneis, Gruner Veltliner, Nebbiolo, Zweigelt, Tempranillo and more.
GIESEN WINES
Founders: Brothers - Alex, Theo and Marcel
The German-born Giesen brothers possess a sense of adventure and determination; in 1981, they made the bold decision to leave their home and travel halfway around the world to make wine in New Zealand. Over the past 32 years, they have established 283 hectares of vineyards in Marlborough’s highly sought after Wairau Valley with one simple aim – make wines that people want to drink. Today Giesen is considered one of the eminent producers from New Zealand. Global distribution stretches into 30 countries around the world.
FROMM WINERY
Wine growing at Fromm follows a simple philosophy: quality over quantity.
Staying true to the roots of our European founder George Fromm, they strive to make wines that reflect the vineyards in which the vines are grown. Since 1992 they have quietly developed a reputation for crafting distinctive single vineyard wines that genuinely illustrate our terroir.
FRAMINGHAM WINES
The original vineyard was established by Wellington engineer Rex Brooke-Taylor who took the name Framingham from his ancestral home town near Norwich, England.
Today they are a family-owned So-grape company, their range includes Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and Montepulciano. Our F-Series wines give us the freedom to push boundaries with wild fermentation, new varieties and new techniques.
Their Riesling vines are among the oldest in Marlborough, planted in 1981 they were some of the first vines grafted on phylloxera resistant rootstock in the area.
FORREST ESTATE
Owners: Drs John and Brigid Forrest
Grape growing and wine making is an exacting science, however it must have the artistic touch to give the wines 'soul'. That individual expression of style is the trademark of their wines - rich aromatic white wine, and powerfully scented reds - all impeccably structured and a joy to drink.
Wine is synonymous with the Marlborough region, but cycling is equally as famous in Marlborough, The Forrest Graperide brings 2500 cyclists from around the world into the wine region to compete in one of the worlds most beautifully scenic races. People come back year after year to ensure they go home with a bottle of Grape ride Pinot Noir.
CLOUDY BAY WINES
In 2003 Cloudy Bay was bought by the multinational luxury goods firm LVMH (Louis Vuitton - Moet Hennessy)
The original Cloudy Bay Estate, converted from barren sheep and cattle country to thriving vineyard in 1986. Located on Jacksons Road, this vineyard is the home of Cloudy Bay’s Cellar Door, and is the perfect spot to capture views of the magnificent Richmond Ranges, as depicted on the Cloudy Bay label.
Cloudy Bay Vineyards was a founding member of the New Zealand Integrated Wine Grape Production scheme, set up to develop a programme for sustainable vineyard management, which is now monitored by Sustainable Wine growing New Zealand. Cloudy Bay’s impeccable scorecard reflects the company’s commitment to environmentally friendly winery and vineyard management practices.
BRANCOTT ESTATE
Owned by Pernod Ricard
They were the first to plant and create the world’s first Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc wine – a style that has since changed the course of our country’s wine industry.
Beginning in 1934 as Montana Wines, the new name of Brancott Estate is inspired by Brancott Vineyard - their original Marlborough vineyard and home. The stunning Brancott Estate Heritage Centre is located on an elevated position overlooking the original Brancott Vineyard. The location highlights the beauty of the iconic Marlborough landscape, and celebrates the home of the original Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc plantings - a varietal that has gone on to become the world’s favourite New Zealand wine style.
Featuring a restaurant specialising in fresh regional produce, unique wine tastings and tours, an opportunity to see the endangered New Zealand Falcon and premium hosting facilities, any visit to Marlborough should include a stop at the Brancott Estate Heritage Centre.
ALLAN SCOTT WINERY
Family roots run deep. Allan and Catherine Scott oversee every aspect of the business and have entrusted the key operational elements to each of their three children – Josh (Winemaking), Sara (Viticulturist) and Victoria (Marketing).
Along with the core range of Allan Scott Estate wines, there is a single vineyard selection of prestige wines which uses the best grapes and careful cellaring to produce a limited volume of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir, with names like Hounds and Wallops to depict their origin. In 1999, the winery also released a Methode Traditionnelle range which now includes five bubbles all of which are produced on site and the most recent addition to the family holdings is their Scott Base Vineyard in Central Otago.
SPY VALLEY
The 1990s were a time of discovery and courage in Marlborough. Deep in the Waihopai Valley, Bryan and Jan Johnson had the audacity to establish 320 acres of estate vineyards on land considered too hard, too dry and too in-fertile for wine.
It was a venture that started with a passion for the land. This pioneering spirit established one of New Zealand’s most successful boutique family-run wineries, now exporting eight varietals to 35 countries, from a crush capacity of 3000 tonnes.
Today, Spy Valley’s commitment remains to the land and to the people who tend it – we are simply farmers at heart, nurturing soil and vine to cultivate the complexities in our wine. And we’re mindful that it’s our focus on sustainability which will ensure our guardianship of this land for generations to come.
We’re considered a little clandestine around here, deep in our bewitching valley. Perhaps it comes with being named for our proximity to the spy base down the road, but we like a bit of mystery.
Perhaps it’s because they are always searching for the best of the best to produce exceptional wine. Perhaps it’s because managing eight varieties of grapes takes a great deal of knowing the land, the environment and climate, and in the past they have classified these traditions.
These are secrets, however, that they decided it’s time to share.
GREYWACKE
Kevin and Kimberley Judd continue their Marlborough wine dream with their ‘Greywacke’ label which in a short time has become recognised as one of the most exciting in the region. With around three decades of winemaking experience with Marlborough fruit, Kevin quietly pushes the boundaries of complexity and style of his wines so they capture the interest of the serious and sophisticated wine lover. However, the wines retain the essential accessible fruit-expressive nature of the Marlborough region that makes them world famous.
