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 Marlborough Sounds

Marlborough

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Old St Mary's Convent

Le Grys Vineyard and Homestay

Waikawa Bay Seafront Apartments - Marlborugh

Sennen House - Picton

The Peppertree Luxury Accommodation

Bay of Many Coves Resort

McCormick House Luxury Bed and Breakfast

Things to Do

Marlborough Travel

Marlborough is New Zealand's best known wine producing region and world famous for the production of great Sauvignon Blanc wines.

Marlborough has an enviable international reputation for producing the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world. It also makes very good Chardonnay and Riesling and is fast developing a reputation for Pinot Noir. Of the region's four  thousand hectares of grapes (half the national crop), one third are planted in Sauvignon Blanc with the remainder in mainly Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling.

Amongst the best of Marlborough's 70 wineries include:

Lots of sun, cool nights, low autumn rains and free draining alluvial soils combine to make the region great.

Most wineries can be reached after an easy drive from Blenheim, although the radius of area under cultivation is spreading. The city of Blenheim is at the centre of the Marlborough region, and is just 20 minutes south of the magnificent Marlborough Sounds. Over the hills and to the south is the rapidly expanding Awatere Valley and the newly evolving Kaikoura sub-region.

New Zealand wine regions - follow a link for visitor information and listings of top wineries.

Auckland

Gisborne

Hawke's Bay

Martinborough

Nelson

Marlborough

Canterbury

Otago

Wine Cellar Management

Events Diary

Allan Scott Wines is a family business established and operated by Catherine and Allan Scott. The winery is now one of the older established in the region, and has a solid reputation for medal-winning wines, fine food and award-winning premises. The winery, sales facilities and Twelve Trees Restaurant are accommodated in a "rammed earth" building featuring warm natural timbers. The winery concentrates on the varieties for which Marlborough is famous - sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and Riesling, although it also produces a good pinot noir. Recent success for the winery includes gold at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards 1999 for its Prestige Chardonnay 1998 the award for "Champion Cabernet Sauvignon" at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2000 for its Prestige Cabernet 1998.  Allan Scott wines are exported to Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Germany, Hong Kong and Japan. For more information contact: Allan Scott, Jacksons Road RD 3, BLENHEIM, phone: +64 3 5729054, fax: +64 3 5729053, e-mail: scott.wines@xtra.co.nz.

Clifford Bay Estate was established by Eric Bowers, a former oil company executive, and his wife Beverley. It specialises in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling wines. While its grapes are grown in the Awatere valley, its cellar door and restaurant are conveniently located on Rapaura road in Blenheim. The winery's first Sauvignon Blanc was produced from grapes crushed in 1997, and was awarded gold in the Royal Show Time wine competition and three days later another gold in the Air New Zealand Wine Awards. More recent successes include gold at the Sydney Top 100 (Australia) 2001 and a placing in the Liquorland Top 100 2001.  For more information contact: Eric and Beverley Bowers, PO Box 1088 Blenheim, phone +64-3-5727148, fax +64-3-5727138, e-mail: wine@cliffordbay.co.nz.

Cloudy Bay is Marlborough's, and probably New Zealand's, most famous winery. Winemaker Kevin Judd made Cloudy Bay's first Sauvignon Blanc in 1985. His wine established Marlborough's reputation as a top wine region. Cloudy Bay's Sauvignon Blanc is made in commercial volumes and represents excellent value for money.  Released as a matured wine, Cloudy Bay Te Koko is a full-bodied, alternative style of sauvignon blanc. Fermented with naturally occurring yeast in French oak barrels (10% new), the wine then goes through a complete malolactic fermentation and remains in barrel on yeast lees for 18 months prior to bottling. The first vintage was 1996 and the current release is 2000.T e Koko comes from the original Maori name for Cloudy Bay, Te Koko-o-Kupe. Legend has it that Kupe, the Tahitian explorer, dredged for oysters in the bay and Te Koko refers to the scoop used by Kupe to lift oysters from the seabed. Cloudy Bay also produces excellent Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and Late Harvest Riesling wines. For a special treat, try their sparkling Pelorus wine. For more information contact: Kevin Judd, PO Box 376, BLENHEIM, phone: +64 3 5209140, fax: +64 3 5209040, e-mail: info@cloudybay.co.nz.

Fairhall Downs Estate Wines is located at Wrekin Road at the head of Marlborough’s Brancott Valley. The site is elevated and North facing with light to medium free draining soils providing the ideal combination for growing premium quality wine grapes. The first wine released was Fairhall Downs 1996 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc which achieved immediate success being awarded a Gold medal and Trophy for Champion Sauvignon Blanc in the Perth Royal Wine Show. Following this, Fairhall Downs Sauvignon Blanc has won gold medals and trophies for the 1997, 1998 and 1999 vintages. Recent recognition includes a listing in the Sydney Top 100 for its Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 1999, and gold medals at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2000 for its Sauvignon Blanc 1999 and its Pinot Gris 2000.  Fairhall Downs Estate Wines are exported to Hong Kong, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United states of America, Brazil, Belgium and Canada. For more information contact: Ken Small & Stuart Smith, 70 Wrekin Road RD 2, BLENHEIM, phone: +64 3 5728356, fax: +64 3 5728357, e-mail: fairhalldowns.wines@xtra.co.nz.

Forrest Estate combines hospitality with quality Marlborough wines. Operated by John and Brigid Forrest, the winery has earned a reputation for excellent Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay wines. The winery features two hectares of shady parkland for picnics, a garden winebar and tasting rooms. It takes pride in its warm, friendly and informative service. If you have time and make arrangements the owners will take you through the vineyard, winery and, of course, wine tasting. Forrest Estate wines are available in Australia, the United States of America, Austria, Germany, Canada, Holland, England and Northern Ireland. For more information contact: Dr John & Dr Brigid Forrest, Blicks Road, Renwick, BLENHEIM, phone: +64 3 5729084, fax: +64 3 5729086, e-mail: forrestwines@xtra.co.nz.

Foxes Island Wines is a family owned wine company producing small volumes of premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Owner and winemaker John Belsham trained in the Medoc region of France. In 1988 he and his wife returned home and planted their own 4.5 hectare vineyard in Rapaura Rd, Marlborough to provide Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes for Foxes Island. In 2000 an additional 20 hectares of land was purchased in the Awatere Valley, where new plantings are continuing. The philosophy behind Foxes Island Wines is one of quality and the pursuit of complexity in fine wine style. Consequently, each release is of very limited production. For more information contact John Belsham, PO Box 1039, Blenheim, phone +64 3 572 7940, fax +64 3 572 7941, e-mail info@foxes-island.co.nz.

Framingham Wine Company is essentially an estate producer of aromatic grape varietals (Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer) that also makes very good Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc wines. Its wines are styled to maximise the clean, fruit dominated, youth and exuberance for which Marlborough wines are renowned.  Located in Renwick, fifteen minutes drive from Blenheim, Framingham Wine Company’s facilities are dedicated to producing and exhibiting Framingham wine. They include an underground cellar and elegant tasting rooms that open onto an aromatic rose-planted courtyard. For more information contact: Michelle Thompson, PO Box 37, Renwick, BLENHEIM, phone: +64 3 5728884, fax: +64 3 5729884, e-mail: sales@framingham.co.nz.

Fromm Winery is owned by Georg and Ruth Fromm, who also own a winery above the Rhine River valley in the south-east of Switzerland, close to the borders of Liechtenstein and Austria. Their Blenheim winery is unusual in that it specialises in reds, rather than the more common sauvignon blancs, chardonnays and rieslings. In fact, the home vineyard is planted only in red varieties and Gewürztraminer. While a relatively new winery, Fromm wines have met with success and rank with the best wines of the region. The Fromm's attribute their success to "hands on" vineyard management including organic techniques and hand picking of grapes. The winery features an architectually designed tasting room combined with open to the visitor barrel storage and production facilities. Fromm wines are exported to Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Australia and the United states of America. For more information contact:  Hätsch Kalberer, Godfrey Road RD 2, BLENHEIM, phone: +64 3 5729355, fax: +64 3 5729366, e-mail: lastrada@frommwineries.com.

Grove Mill's winery is located in Marlborough's Waihopai Valley. Grove Mill has been producing premium quality wine since 1988. Top of the range wines are designated with the "Grove Mill Marlborough" label, and drink now wines branded with the "Sanctuary Marlborough" label and with the "Frog Haven Marlborough" label.  Grove Mill have a reputation for innovation and leadership, being the first winery to plant Pinot Gris in Marlborough and to produce a Marlborough Pinot Gris. Their Innovator label (formerly known as Winemaker's Reserve) is a non commercial experimental label. Recent releases include what is believed to be New Zealand's first Roussanne. Grove Mill describes its wines as being  distinctive  - rich, full flavoured, complex, elegant and well balanced; food friendly; and ideal for both immediate enjoyment and for mid-term cellaring. The current Grove Mill range comprises Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Merlot and Pinot Noir. The winery does well in both local and international wine competitions. Examples of recent awards include gold for its Grove Mill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2001, Grove Mill Marlborough Chardonnay 2000 (the 1999 & 1998 also won gold) and Sanctuary Marlborough Riesling 2001 at the Royal Easter Wine Show 2002, blue gold for the Grove Mill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2000 at the Sydney Top 100 2001, silver for its Marlborough Chardonnay at the International Wine Challenge 2000 in London,  gold for its  Winemakers Reserve Riesling 1999 at the Air New Zealand Awards 2000 and the Trophy for Champion Pinot Gris for the Grove Mill Marlborough Pinot Gris 1999 at the Royal Easter Wine Show 2000.  In addition to wine and food tastings, Grove Mill offers visitors New Zealand's only Vine Library, and exhibitions of art by leading New Zealand artists. In 2001 it was awarded a Habitat Enhancement Award at the Marlborough Rural Environment Awards for its project to rehabilitate the adjacent wetlands, which has included the planting of more than 4000 native grasses, shrubs and trees. Grove Mill is exported to 15 markets including Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom, and the USA. For more information contact: Rob White , PO Box 67, Renwick, BLENHEIM, phone: +64 3 5728200, fax: +64 3 5728211, e-mail info@grovemill.co.nz.

Hunter's Wines is a great place to visit. As well as being open for wine tastings and sales, visitors can enjoy dining at a top quality restaurant which is open every day for lunch, and for dinner Thursday through Sunday. Owned by Jane Hunter, the winery is a big producer of high quality wines. Top varieties include award winning Savignon Blancs (oak aged and unoaked) and a very good Chardonnay. Recent successes in wine competitions include a placing in the Liquorland Top 100 2001 for the winery's Spring Creek Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay 2000, a placing in the Sydney Top 100 2001 for its Sauvignon Blanc 2000, and a silver medal at the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2000 in London. Hunter's Wines are made by Gary Duke and exported to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland, Denmark, Japan, Singapore, Australia and the USA. For more information contact: Jane Hunter, PO Box 839, BLENHEIM, phone: +64 3 5728489, fax: +64 3 5728457, e-mail: wine@hunters.co.nz.

Isabel Estate Vineyard is owned by Michael and Robyn Tiller. It is one of the region's larger wineries, and one of the few to make its wines solely from its own grapes. Best varieties are sauvignon blanc, Riesling and chardonnay. Recent awards include a silver medal at the International Wine Challenge 2000 in London for its Sauvignon Blanc 1999. Isabel's 2000 Sauvignon Blanc was named one of Decanter magazine's "white wines of the year", and awarded five stars. If you are a lover of dessert wines, you must also try Isabel's Noble Sauvage. Isabel Estate wines are exported to the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, North America and Asia. For more information contact: Michael & Robyn Tiller, PO Box 29, Renwick, BLENHEIM, phone: (03) 5728300, fax: (03) 5728383, e-mail: info@isabelestate.com.

Jackson Estate is operated by John Stichbury. One hundred and fifty years ago John's great-grandfather, Adam Jackson, grew bountiful crops of wheat, oats and barley on the rich riversilt soils of Marlborough’s Wairau Plain. Today Jackson Estate produces some of New Zealand’s best Sauvignon Blanc wine.  Its Chardonnay 1999 was also awarded a silver medal at the International Wine Challenge 2000 in London. Jackson Estate wines are available in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Asia and Australia. For more information contact: John Stichbury & David Williams, PO Box 102, Renwick, MARLBOROUGH, phone: +64 3 5728287, fax: +64 3 5729500, e-mail: jacksonestate@xtra.co.nz.

Lawsons Dry Hills is owned by Ross Lawson. With a very good restaurant and great wine, it is a wonderful place to visit while in Marlborough. Winemaker Mike Just has built the winery's reputation on his beautifully floral Gewurztraminer and his zingy Sauvignon Blanc, awarded a gold medal at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2000. He also makes an excellent Chardonnay and a good Riesling. The winery's Sauvignon Blanc 1999 and its Pinot Noir 1999 were both awarded silver medals at the International Wine Challenge 2000 in London. Lawson Dry Hills' wines are exported to France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Holland, the United States of America, Singapore and Australia. For more information contact: Ross & Barbara Lawson, PO Box 4020, BLENHEIM, phone: +64 3 5787674, fax: +64 3 5787603, e-mail: lawsonswines@xtra.co.nz.

Montana Brancott Winery is situated just outside of Blenheim. The winery is a fascinating combination of new and old. It not only has the only Coquard Champagne press in the Southern Hemisphere, and the first bulk grape tipper tanks in the world, but also houses imposing wooden cuves and a cooperage with 6,500 traditional oak barriques. Montana Marlborough Chardonnay was awarded white wine of the year at the 1997 International Wine Challenge in London. In partnership with the House of Deutz in France, the Brancott Winery specialises in making top quality méthode traditionnelle wines. The winery's Deutz Marlborough Cuvée was named Sparkling Wine of the Year at the International Wine Challenge in 1998. The winery also produces a good Sauvignon Blanc and is rapidly increasing its production of Pinot Noir. Recent awards include silver for its Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc 1999 and its Reserve Pinot Noir 1998 at the International Wine Challenge 2000 in London , a placing in the Sydney Top 100 2000 for its Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 1999, and a placing in the Sydney Top 100 2001 for its Reserve Pinot Noir 1999. For visitors there is a restaurant, wine shop and education facilities. For more information contact: Gerry Gregg, PO Box 331, BLENHEIM, phone: +64 3 5782099, fax: +64 3 5780463, e-mail: marlwinery@montanawines.co.nz.

Mud House Wine Company is owned by John Joslin, a former farmer from Essex. He and his wife Jennifer brought 20 acres of land in Marlborough after cruising the world for six years. The vineyard is named "Legrys", and the Mud House Wine Company is its marketing arm. The vineyard is planted in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, varieties all suited to the silty, stony river run soil. In the first year of production, Mud House Wines' 1997 Sauvignon Blanc won the Winestate "Gregoire Trophy", and was judged best of the 332 wines entered. The winery has continued to win an impressive tally of medals and trophies in national and international wine competitions. Most recently, its Sauvignon Blanc 2000 was awarded the trophy for best Sauvignon Blanc at the London 2001 International Wine and Spirit Competition, and its Legrys Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2000 gold at the Royal Easter Wine Show 2001. The vineyard welcomes visitors and offers a restaurant and accommodation (for details go to the separate Legrys Vineyard website). Mud House Wines are exported to the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States of America, Hong Kong and China. For more information contact: John & Jennifer Joslin, PO Box 65, Renwick, BLENHEIM, phone: +64 3 5729490, fax: +64 3 5729491, e-mail: john@mudhouse.co.nz.

Nautilus Estate has been producing wine since 1985 and has developed a reputation for top quality Sauvignon Blanc. Over the past few years, Nautilus Estate has undertaken an extensive expansion programme into Pinot Noir and has over 60 acres of Pinot Noir planted in the Marlborough region. The Estate's imposing winery was inspired by traditional 'Kentucky barn' architecture and provides a stable temperature environment for wine processing and storage. The cellar door area makes extensive use of the natural curves found in the shape of the Nautilus shell and incorporates an underground cellar for storage of library wines in optimum storage conditions. Recent wine show successes include an impressive three gold medals at the Royal Easter Wine Show 2001 for its Sauvignon Blanc 2000, its Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 1998, and its Riverbrook Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1998. Nautilus welcomes visitors daily in summer from 10am - 5pm and in winter from 10.30am - 4.30pm. Nautilus wines are exported widely and available in North America, Australia, Asia and Japan, Europe and the United Kingdom. For more information contact: the winery, 12 Rapaura Road, Renwick, phone +64 3 5729364, fax +64 3 5729374, e-mail sales@nautilusestate.com.

Stoneleigh Vineyards lie on the banks of the Wairau River in the heart of Marlborough's Jacksons Road wine growing area. Located on the site of a former riverbed, the Stoneleigh Vineyards take their name from the stones that cover the area, which reflect sunlight into the vines, and speed the ripening process. Wines from the vineyard are of consistent quality and reasonably priced. I can personally recommend Stoneleigh's Sauvignon Blanc, its Riesling and its Pinot Noir. Its wines are widely available, both domestically and internationally. For more information contact: Gerry Gregg, PO Box 331, BLENHEIM, phone: +64 3 5782099, fax: +64 3 5780463, e-mail: marlwinery@montanawines.co.nz.

Vavasour Wines, established in 1985, are the pioneers of the Awatere Valley. The winery is located thirty minutes south of Blenheim on the stony river terraces of the Valley. It is an area of stark and majestic beauty. Scorching sun and dry winds result in ripe and concentrated fruit that winemaker Glenn Thomas turns into some of New Zealand's best wine. The best wines are marketed under the Vavasour label, with more affordable "drink now" wines labelled Dashwood. Vavasour's Chardonnay is particularly good, as is its Sauvignon Blanc. Vavasour wines can be found in select outlets across France, Switzerland, the United Kingdon, Ireland, the United States and Australia. If you would like to visit the winery, the cellar is open all week over summer from 10am - 4 pm and in winter from Monday to Saturday. For more information contact: Glenn Thomas, PO Box 72, Seddon, BLENHEIM, phone: +64 3 5757481, fax: +64 3 5757240, e-mail: vavasour@vavasour.com.

Wairau River Wines Limited was established in 1991by Phil and Chris Rose. The Rose's have grown grapes on the banks of the Wairau River since 1977, and use only estate grown fruit in the production of their wines. Wairau River produces the majority of it’s wine as Sauvignon Blanc including an excellent  Reserve range that has been fermented in 4 & 5 year old French oak barrels (and only produced in limited quantities). Current production also includes Chardonnay, Riesling, and a very good Botrytised Riesling. Wairau River wines are exported to over 20 countries including USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, France, Spain, Denmark, Holland and Switzerland. If visiting the winery, be sure to visit the restaurant, maybe for lunch. It is situated in a handmade clay brick building, features great food and both indoor and outdoor dining facilities. For more information contact: Lindsay Parkinson, corner of Rapaura Road & State Highway 6 (Nelson/Blenheim), Blenheim, phone +64 3 572 9800, fax +64 3 572 9885, e-mail office@WairauRiverWines.com.