Map The Wine

Map / New Zealand

Marlborough

New Zealand's largest wine region and the home of its distinctive Sauvignon Blanc.

Auckland IslandsCampbell IslandsAntipodes IslandsThe SnaresSouthlandMarlborough DistrictNelson CityTasman DistrictWest CoastOtagoCanterburyAucklandWaikatoThree Kings IslandsWellingtonManawatu-WanganuiTaranakiNorthlandBay of PlentyGisborne DistrictHawke's BayAucklandCentral OtagoGisborneHawke's BayNelsonNorth CanterburyNorthlandWairarapaWaitaki ValleyMarlboroughBlenheimWairau ValleyAwatere Valley
The shaded area approximates the region; the gold dot marks its centre. Drag to pan, or use the buttons or Ctrl and scroll to zoom. Other regions of New Zealand are linked on the map.

Where it is

Marlborough is at the north-east tip of the South Island, around Blenheim. It has the Wairau Valley, the Awatere Valley and the Southern Valleys, and takes up well over half of the country's vineyard area.

Land and climate

Sunny and dry, with cool nights. The river gravels and silt soils give a range of Sauvignon Blanc flavours.

Grapes and wines

Sauvignon Blanc is the signature grape, vividly aromatic and made in huge quantities from the 1980s on. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris are also grown, as is sparkling wine.