Wine TimelineThe decision made by Montana in 1973 to plant wine grapes in Marlborough was the most visionary and vital one made in the short history of the New Zealand Wine Industry. It wasn’t an easy road to success, but led by science, our enviable natural environment, and a brave small community who got together and got things done, Marlborough put New Zealand wine on the world map.
Marlborough has quickly grown to be New Zealand’s largest producer and has grown at an outstanding rate, growing from 6,831 hectares in 2002 to 22,819 in 2013. Today, almost 30,000ha 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.
Coincidentally, 2023 also marks 150 years since Marlborough’s first vineyard of Muscat was planted at Auntsfield by Scotsman David Herd in 1873. These vines were pulled out in 1931 and no others were recorded in the region until 1973.
Weta on vines
2000
In the early 2000s, a then little-known species of ground weta was discovered, causing significant damage to vine buds in the Awatere Valley. This led to a decline in grape production and caused big problems for grape growers.
Tohu Wines
2001
Tohu wines buy 120 hectares of land in the Awatere and first vines planted by board members James Wheeler, Rore Stafford and Mugwi MacDonald in 2002. Tohu is the first Maori owned wine company.
Screwcap initiative
2001
This captured the attention of winemakers in New Zealand, particularly Marlborough, where, due to increased cork related problems, research was already underway. In February 2001 during a meeting, sponsored by Marlborough winemakers, the screw-cap seal/ closure was identified as the most promising alternative to cork closures for wine.
Irrigation bungy valves developed locally
2001
“Great result for the team with the Clever Business Award from Marlborough Chamber of Commerce. With our launch of the new flushing valve for irrigation, batten bungee and solid core bungee for wakeboarding boots it’s been a good year for R&D”.
Modified Net winder
2005
Ormond Nurseries develop a modified net winder to remove nets before harvest and that can be operated by one person.
Carbon-neutral
2006
The New Zealand Wine Company located in the Waihopai Valley in Marlborough (brands Grove Mill, Sanctuary and Frog Haven) become the first carbon-neutral certified-winery in the world, which it achieved in September 2006.
RSE Scheme
2007
Government-run, the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme allows employers within the horticulture and viticulture industries to recruit a capped number of workers from overseas – predominantly from the Pacific – for seasonal work in New Zealand.
KLIMA
2008
KLIMA was established in 2008 by two leading New Zealand viticulturists Nigel George and Marcus Wickham.
Rapaura Springs
2007
The Rapaura Springs story begins with two families brought together by premium Marlborough produce. Together they have forged a strong friendship and business partnership.
The Neylon family have a long, proud association with premium exports from the Marlborough region.
They were early pioneers of the green lip mussel industry and the first family to grow, process and export this premium product in the early eighties. In 1985 they purchased prime vineyard land in the Rapaura and Dillons Point subregions and started a business partnership with the Wiffin family. In 2007, the first wine was produced under the Rapaura Springs brand. Since then, the brand has grown to be exported to more than 15 markets around the world.
Production
2005
Situated in the Waihopai Valley, which forms part of the sought after Southern Valleys sub-region, the Sound of White Vineyard was first planted with vines in 2005. The land was a blank canvas, nestled amongst the snowy shadows of the majestic Waihopai Valley Ranges. An awe-inspiring and peaceful place in Marlborough elevated some 200m above sea level, with its own micro-climate and distinct soil profiles that create real wines of place. A unique site, one which our Winemaker Matthew Ward is truly enamoured with
Vine Stripper
2009
Mechanical cane stripper, Langlois machines, reduce time and injuries that manual stripping involved. Developed by Walter Langlois of Machinery Services Ltd, Renwick.