Marlborough Wine Stories
Marlborough is unique – not for any one reason but for many. This region is full of colour, complexity and diversity – making this part of New Zealand truly special. Explore our uniquely Marlborough wine stories.
From August 2023 the region’s winemakers and growers are celebrating 50 years of Marlborough’s official beginning as a wine region. Discover the history of our region’s wine brands and explore stories about our people and place that make it special here.
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Third Time’s a Charm for Champion Rosé
Whitehaven’s Kōparepare Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2022 has been crowned Scenic Hotel Marlborough Champion Rosé at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.
Kōparepare Brand Ambassador Samantha White says it was the third year in a row that the wine had taken out a gold medal at the Show. To get the trophy was an added bonus.
Giesen Chardonnay Shines at Marlborough Wine Show
A drive to produce fantastic Marlborough Chardonnay has been recognised at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.
Giesen Wines received two trophies for their Single Vineyard Clayvin Chardonnay 2018: the MRC Champion Chardonnay, 2019 and Older, as well as the Vit Management Ltd Best Organic Wine of the Show.
Award-winning musicians matched to award-winning wines
Ten-time NZ music award-winning duo Broods will grace the main stage with an hour-long DJ set, drawing from their popular albums.
Wine Marlborough General Manager Marcus Pickens anticipates that the Nelson-born artists will be one of the festival’s musical highlights, alongside Coterie – a five piece band with a reputation for excellent live shows.
Immaculate Fruit Makes for Champion Small Parcel Gewürtraminer
When Indevin Winemaker Dean Boyce set about making the Honorary Lilac Vines Gewürztraminer 2021, creating something special was front of mind.
His efforts came to fruition when the wine was crowned the Wine Brokers New Zealand Champion Gewürztraminer at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.
Complexity and Elegance a Winning Combo for Champion Pinot Gris
A careful synergy of unique flavours was at the forefront when Saint Clair Family Estate winemakers set out to create their award winning Saint Clair James Sinclair Pinot Gris 2021.
The wine picked up the Litho and Label Champion Pinot Gris at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, one of three wines to take home a gold medal in the category.
Exciting newcomers join festival favourites for the 36th Marlborough Wine & Food Festival
The locals-only and early-bird tickets sold out in a flash, a balmy La Niña summer is forecast and wineries are getting ready for the 2023 Marlborough Wine & Food Festival.
Wine Marlborough is delighted to see the return of New Zealand’s longest-running food and wine festival after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. This will be the 36th Wine & Food Festival, bringing exciting newcomers such as Rimapere Vineyard and The Uncommon Wine of New Zealand to the fore alongside family-owned wineries that have exhibited at the festival for many years to become part of the festival’s heritage – such as Hunter’s Wines, Forrest Wines and Wairau River Wines.
Tohu Wines takes The Coterie Wine of Provenance Trophy for the second time with Pinot Noir
If you’re searching for a taste of the Awatere Valley, you’ll find it in a bottle of Tohu Whenua Awa Pinot Noir 2019.
Tohu Wines picked up The Coterie Wine of Provenance trophy for the second time at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, showing their expertise when it comes to capturing a sense of place in the bottle.
Many Winemakers Contribute to Legacy Award
Knowledge passed from one winemaking team to another over nearly a decade has come up trumps at the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.
Despite previously being a category dominated by white wines, Wither Hills picked up the Marlborough Museum Legacy Award with their Wither Hills Taylor River Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019, 2015 and 2011.
Marisco Leads the Way for Marlborough Pinot Noir
The 2022 Marlborough Wine Show Champion Wine of the Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, is the result of years of hard work on the road to perfection.
Marisco Vineyards Proprietor and Winemaker Brent Marris says the journey of Marisco Vineyards ‘The King’s Wrath’ Pinot Noir 2021 began long before the 2021 vintage, way back when they first planted Pinot Noir grapes in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys.
Alun Kilby crowned 2022 Young Winemaker of the Year
Congratulations to Alun Kilby from Marisco in Marlborough for becoming the 2022 Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year.
Alun, 28, is Production Winemaker at Marisco. He has worked in the New Zealand wine industry for 13 years from Auckland to Central Otago before settling in Marlborough and is thrilled to take out this prestigious title.
King’s Wrath the King of the Show
Marisco Vineyards ‘The King’s Wrath’ Pinot Noir 2021 has been crowned the Champion Wine of the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.
The company wasn’t the only one to make waves with Pinot Noir; the variety shined at the 2022 competition, across all vintages and subregions.
45 gold medals have been awarded to Marlborough wines today
With judging complete for the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, 45 gold medals have been awarded to Marlborough wines today.
More than 550 wines entered in this year’s Marlborough Wine Show
Seventeen judges are about to immerse themselves in Marlborough wine as the Marlborough Wine Show sponsored by QuayConnect kicks off this week.
Those judges will be kept busy with entries in most categories well above previous years. Chief Judge Ben Glover says wineries are well aware of the importance of shows, particularly regional ones such as Marlborough.
Alun Kilby from Marisco wins Marlborough 2022 Young Winemaker of the Year
Congratulations to Alun Kilby from Marisco, who came became the 2022 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year. The competition was held on 21st September at MRC and the winners were announced at the Awards Dinner the same evening.
Wine Enthusiast’s 23rd Annual Wine Star Award Nominees
Wine Enthusiast’s 23rd Annual Wine Star Award nominees have been announced, honouring individuals and companies that make outstanding contributions to the wine and alcohol beverage world. We are pleased to let you know Marlborough has once again been nominated for Wine Region of the Year.
Q&A with Marlborough’s 2022 Mayoral Candidates
In the lead up to the local government elections, Winepress reports a Q&A with Marlborough’s 2022 Mayoral Candidates and checks in with candidates in the Wairau Awatere ward.
Tahryn Mason is the 2022 Corteva Young Viticulturist of the Year
Congratulations to Tahryn Mason from Villa Maria in Marlborough, who became the 2022 Corteva Young Viticulturist of the Year. The National Final was held on 30 August at Indevin’s Bankhouse in Marlborough with the announcement made at the Awards Dinner the following evening.
RSE Scheme in the news
The Marlborough community is justifiably outraged by recent media stories relating to some RSE employees in our community. A Labour Inspectorate investigation is underway, and we await the results. If any of the recent allegations are upheld, we should all be concerned.
It is critical to everyone that the RSE scheme ensures the win-wins it was set up to achieve are strengthened for the workers, businesses and communities involved. We fully support the move to push ahead with a review of the RSE scheme.
Who will be Marlborough’s next Young Winemaker of the year?
The Young Winemaker competition aims to help ambitious and passionate young people become future leaders of the NZ wine industry. It is a fantastic opportunity for emerging young winemakers to grow, develop and advance their careers. We are pleased to introduce you to the young Marlborough contestants competing in the Marlborough competition 21st August 2022.
Marlborough Young Viticulturist
Congratulations to Tahryn Mason from Villa Maria who became the 2022 Marlborough Corteva Young Viticulturist of the Year on 7 July at the competition held at Giesen House in Rapaura. He will now go through to the National Final which will also be held in Marlborough at the end of August.