1976

Henk Ruesink was the first grower to introduce trickle irrigation to Marlborough.

It was not until eager young berry fruit grower Henk Ruesink and Mr Marris developed their own vineyards in 1976 that Montana saw the benefits of under-vine watering. Within two short years, the Ruesink-Marris vines were harvesting spectacular yields compared to Montana's average crops five years later.

Source

https://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/your-marlborough/wine/9078010/Land-deals-first-inkling-of-the-future