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.
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.
Undervine mover
2011
Barnet Construction, Renwick design and build an undervine mower used at Isabel Vineyards.
Undervine Weeder
2011
Langlois Renwick design and build an undervine weeder.
Recycle Sprayer
2011
Blenheim business FMR Group builds a sprayer that captures and recycles Vineyard spray, cutting spray drift and reducing chemical use by about 30%.
Phil Rose
2011
Phil Rose awarded a lifetime achievement award having been growing grapes since 1978.
Earthquake
2013
Several wineries experience damage to their wine tanks.
Ormond Nurseries
2013
Ormond Nurseries, Grovetown, replanting rootstock after increased demand. 90% had been pulled out due to a drop in demand in 2008.
Sustainable Winegrowing
2014
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand to move its head office to Blenheim.
Cloudy Bay 30th vintage of Sauvignon Blanc
2014
“I clearly remember the first Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs,” says Sam Weaver. “The wines were interesting but more a curiosity than anything.” But then came Cloudy Bay. “It was astonishing and completely unlike any other wine I’d tasted with exuberance and aromatic intensity.”
WineWorks
2014
WineWorks begin building a 10,000 square metre building for wine storage, at Riverlands. This will be Marlborough’s largest building.
Supreme and Business Innovation
2015
Paul Millen receives the top award for Supreme and Business Innovation at the Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards. Awarded for his work breeding eucalyptus for durable hardwood products such as vineyard posts.
Young Winemaker
2015
Young winemaker competitions start.
Biodynamic Winery of the year
2015
Huia win Natural Biodynamic Winery of the year in New York International Wine Challenge. Also Giesen Marlborough Winery of the year; Staete Landt Vineyards Marlborough Pinot Noir Winery of the year at the same awards.
Marlborough Research Centre
2015
Mike Trought started at the Marlborough Research Centre in 1984 and was made a fellow of the New Zealand Winemakers in recognition of his research into the wine industry, 2015
Disease Management
2016
Harvesters used to control disease by shaking the vines before harvest and causing them to drop grapes. This reduces the risk of botrytis.
The Bottling Company
2016
The Bottling Company was set up by directors Matt Elrick and Stefan Newman in May, after the pair noticed a gap in the bottling market. The Bottling Company, based at Riverlands Industrial Estate, south of Blenheim, was scheduled to start operations in the last week of January, with trial runs before then.
Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards
2017
One of the largest organic vineyards in the country has scooped the top prize at the Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards.
Dog Point Vineyards received the supreme award after winning the landscape and habitat enhancement category
Most Admired
2017
For the third year in a row Villa Maria has been named one of the most admired wine brands in the world. It is the only New Zealand winery to be in the top 10, placing fourth in this year’s “World’s Most Admired Wine Brands” list.