Region Of The Week: Marlborough
Located on the South Island, Marlborough is the largest wine region in New Zealand, but it wasn’t that long ago that winemaking wasn’t even a thought. In the early 1800s, missionaries planted the first vines on the North Island, and it wasn’t until the 1970s that viticulture really took off in the Marlborough region. Now, spanning across 30,000 hectares, Marlborough is best known for Sauvignon Blanc, which accounts for 75% of Marlborough’s vine area. They also produce Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling.
The coolest thing about Marlborough is their commitment to sustainability, with 97% of their vineyards being certified by Sustainable Winegrowing NZ™. While a small amount of producers practice organic farming, it’s made even harder by Marlborough’s temperate maritime climate with drastic diurnal temperature shifts.
