Marlborough Wines: Zesty Sauvignon Blanc, Silky Pinot Noir and Crisp New Zealand Whites
Pour a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and the aroma arrives before the first sip. Passionfruit, citrus and fresh cut grass, bright and unmistakable.
No other region has shaped a wine style so completely, and few are as easy to love. Welcome to Marlborough, the heart of New Zealand wine.
What Makes Marlborough Wine So Special?
Marlborough sits at the north eastern tip of New Zealand's South Island, around the town of Blenheim. It is the country's largest wine region by far, home to around three quarters of New Zealand's vineyards.
The secret is the combination of long, sunny days and cold nights. Grapes ripen slowly and keep their natural acidity, which gives the wines their famous freshness and intensity.
Stony, free draining soils do the rest. The modern wine industry here only began in 1973, yet within a couple of decades Marlborough had become one of the most recognised wine names in the world.
Our range reflects that focus. Around seven in ten of our Marlborough wines are white, and nearly all of them are dry and light to medium in body.
Sauvignon Blanc: Marlborough's Signature White
Sauvignon Blanc is the grape that made Marlborough famous, and it accounts for roughly four in ten of the wines in this collection.
Expect passionfruit, gooseberry, lime and a green, herbal edge, all carried by crisp, mouthwatering acidity. Some producers add texture with lees ageing, wild yeast or a little oak, so there is more variety here than the classic style suggests.
To set Marlborough beside Sancerre, Adelaide Hills and the rest of the world, browse our full Sauvignon Blanc collection.
Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Aromatic Whites
Pinot Noir is Marlborough's leading red, grown mostly on the clay soils of the Southern Valleys. It is silky and fragrant, with red cherry, raspberry and gentle spice, and a little lighter than Central Otago. Find more in our Pinot Noir range.
Pinot Gris brings pear, stone fruit and a soft, rounded texture, often with a touch of sweetness. It is a lovely alternative when you want something gentler than Sauvignon Blanc. See the wider Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio collection.
Chardonnay, Riesling and a few Gewürztraminers complete the whites, and several rosés are made from Pinot Noir. The cool climate suits Riesling especially well, with styles ranging from bone dry to lightly sweet.
Marlborough Producers in Our Range
Our Marlborough range brings together more than 40 producers, from family estates to household names.
Giesen is a family winery founded by three brothers, and one of the region's most familiar names. Framingham is celebrated for aromatic whites, especially Riesling, while ARA brings its own take on Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
You will also find Saint Clair Family Estate, Nautilus, Yealands, Villa Maria and Isabel Estate, along with Fromm for Pinot Noir and organic producers such as Seresin and Huia.
How to Serve Marlborough Wine
Serve Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling well chilled, at around 7 to 10 degrees, and Pinot Gris and Chardonnay a little warmer. Marlborough Pinot Noir shines slightly cool, at about 14 to 16 degrees.
Food Pairing
Sauvignon Blanc and seafood is a classic match. Try it with oysters, grilled prawns, goat cheese salads or anything with fresh herbs. Pinot Gris suits Thai and Vietnamese dishes, and Pinot Noir works beautifully with salmon, duck or mushroom risotto.
Wairau or Awatere? Your Questions, Answered
What is the difference between Wairau and Awatere?
The Wairau Valley is Marlborough's broad, sunny heart and gives riper, more tropical Sauvignon Blanc. The Awatere Valley to the south is higher, cooler and windier, so its wines are leaner and more herbal, often with a salty, mineral edge.
Where is the Marlborough wine region?
Marlborough is at the northern end of New Zealand's South Island, just across Cook Strait from Wellington. Blenheim is the main town, and most vineyards lie in the valleys around it.
Why is Marlborough so good for Sauvignon Blanc?
Warm, sunny days build ripe fruit flavour, while cold nights preserve acidity and aroma. That wide gap between day and night is what gives Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc its intensity.
How long does Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc keep?
Most is made to enjoy young, within two to three years, while it is at its freshest. Richer, textured or oaked styles can develop nicely for a few years longer.
Why Buy Marlborough Wine at YourWines?
This range lets you explore Marlborough beyond one famous grape. Compare Wairau and Awatere Sauvignon Blanc, try a silky Pinot Noir or discover an aromatic Riesling.
Every wine is chosen by our team, most of it available by the dozen, and shipping is free Australia wide with a surcharge for WA, TAS and remote areas. Explore the whole New Zealand collection or our wider white wine range.