History & People
Globally, there is immense respect for the craft of Marlborough wine, which is confidently passed on not just down through generations, but across regions and the globe as people come to learn from us and give back to our wine. The people of Marlborough wine are guardians for their craft - they guard it by sharing, to keep it alive and strong.
August 2023 marks 50 years of the Marlborough Wine Region. Learn about our regions wine story here.
Our History
In 1873 David Herd planted a small vineyard of Brown Muscat at Aunstfield in Fairhall, an anomaly in a region known for its cropping. One hundred years later, in August 1973, Montana started planting vineyards in Marlborough. At the celebration ceremony, Frank Yukich, the man behind the plan to buy land and plant grapes here made the statement that “Wines from here will become world famous.” At the time, no one took him seriously but the prophetic words would go on to be remembered as this variety took Marlborough’s name to the world.
But while Montana Wines was the first to place its faith in the region, there have been many others that have helped secure its reputation kick-starting what would become the province’s dominant industry, responsible for around 80% of New Zealand’s wine exports, and creating a global reputation for Sauvignon Blanc.
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It is hard to imagine the Marlborough landscape without hundreds of thousands of vines. But it hasn’t always been this way. In reality the march of vines across the plains and gently sloping hills of the region only began back in 1973. Prior to that Marlborough was better known for its abundance of sunshine and its production of barley and lucerne. No one could have imagined that a little known wine company based in Auckland would change the face of Marlborough forever.
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August 2023 marks 50 years of the Marlborough Wine Region. Learn about our regions wine story here.
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Explore the interactive Marlborough Wine Heritage Trail story map here.
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1873 - Marlborough’s first vineyard was planted by Scotsman David Herd in the southern valleys.
1880 - Marlborough’s first winery was established by George Freeth, near Picton. The winery was closed in 1958.
1973 - Commercial planting began at Montana’s Brancott Estate at Fairhall.
1980 - Marlborough Grapegrowers Association Incorporated established.
1984 - Phylloxera outbreak first recorded and widespread by 1992.
1985 - First Marlborough Wine & Food Festival
1986 - Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (Hunters) awarded the top three trophies at the London International Wine Show.
1986 - Oversupply of unsuitable varieties leading to Government sponsored vine pull.
1992 - Wine Marlborough Limited formed as the trading company for Marlborough Winegrowers Association.
1997 - 2,655 ha of grape vines in Marlborough
1999 - 60 Winery members of Wine Marlborough and 3,500 ha of vines
2007 - 110 Winery members of Wine Marlborough and 21,276 ha of vines
2008 - 25th anniversary of the Marlborough Wine Festival
2009 - Marlborough celebrates 30th anniversary of the regions first Sauvignon Blanc vintage.
2012 - Marlborough produces 72% of New Zealand’s 2012 vintage.
2013 - 40th Anniversary of Marlborough’s first commercial plantings.
2016 - The first International Sauvignon Blanc Celebration is held in Marlborough.
2016 - Winepress Magazine celebrates its 25th anniversary.
2020 - Marlborough Winegrowers Association celebrates 40 years.
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Our Winegrowers
Grape growers and winemakers in Marlborough bring a lot to the community – as employers, as educators, as stewards of the land, as national/international representatives and as people who have made their own homes and lives within the region.
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2023 - James Healy
2023 - Dave Pearce
2023 - Tessa Anderson
2023 - Murray Gibbons
2022 - Mark Allen
2022 - Allan Scott
2021 - Dominic Pecchenino
2020 - Neal and Judy Ibbotson
2019 - Dr John Forrest
2018 - Dr Rengasamy Balasubramaniam (Bala)
2016 - Jane Hunter
2014 - Ivan Sutherland
2011 - Phil Rose
2009 - Ross Lawson (posthumously)
2007 - Gerry Greg
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2023 - Zac Howell
2022 - Tahyryn Mason (Regional & National Winner)
2021 - Jess Wilson
2020 - Rhys Hall (Regional & National Winner)
2019 - Ben Richards
2018 - Ben Richards
2017 - Anthony Walsh
2016 - Brenton O’Riley
2015 - Brenton O’Riley
2014 - Brenton O’Riley
2013 - Mathew Duggan
2012 - Mathew Duggan
2011 - James Bowskill
2010 - Stuart Dudley
2009 - Stuart Dudley
2008 - Simon Bishell
2007 - Nigel Sowman
2006 - Marcus Wickham
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2023 - Callum Haynes
2022 - Alun Kilby
2021 - Peter Russell
2020 - Peter Russell
2019 - Emily Gaspard-Clark (Regional & National Winner)
2018 - Greg Lane (Regional & National Winner)
2017 - Abigail Maxwell
2017 - Kelsey Daniels (National Winner)
2016 - Jordan Hogg (Regional & National Winner)
2015 - Abigail Maxwell
513
GRAPE GROWERS/ 75% OF NZ
163
WINE COMPANIES / 22% OF NZ
6,099
JOBS / NOT INCLUDING SEASONAL ROLES
Wine Industry Workforce Planning
Across the backdrop of a global skills and labour shortage, and ongoing growth across the Marlborough wine industry, there is an urgent need to understand and plan for the sustainability of the wine industry workforce. Production capability is people capability; without understanding the industry’s workforce challenges and planning the right support for the workforce’s development, we put at risk the ongoing success of the industry and the Marlborough region.
Photo: Richard Briggs