Marlborough

New Zealand

About Marlborough

New Zealand's largest and most famous wine region, Marlborough revolutionised Sauvignon Blanc on the world stage. Its distinctive style of pungent, tropical, and herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc, first revealed in the 1980s, became a global benchmark. Located at the northern tip of the South Island, the region benefits from long sunshine hours, cool nights, and free-draining stony soils. The Wairau Valley floor produces the classic intense style, while the Awatere and Southern Valleys offer more restrained, mineral expressions. Pinot Noir is emerging as a serious second variety.

Vintage Ratings

Rating:

PeakReadyHold

Year	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009	2008	2007	2006	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001	2000	1999	1998	1997	1996	1995	1994	1993	1992	1991	1990
Red																												—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
White

Cork tracks drinking windows for every Marlborough vintage in your cellar. Sign up

Outstanding Marlborough Vintages

The best recent vintages rated excellent or exceptional.

Red

2024

Almost ready

Exceptional

An exceptional vintage for Pinot Noir. The driest conditions in nearly a century produced pristine, concentrated fruit with ideal ripeness and excellent natural acidity from cool nights.

2027Peak 2029–20362040

2023

Ready

Excellent

Naturally lower yields for Pinot Noir in Marlborough produced concentrated, well-structured wines. An excellent vintage despite broader challenges across New Zealand from La Nina.

2026Peak 2028–20332036

2020

At peak

Excellent

Long, pleasant growing season produced excellent Pinot Noir. Clean, concentrated fruit with good structure and depth.

2023Peak 2025–20312034

2019

At peak

Exceptional

Exceptional Pinot Noir from ideal warm, dry conditions. Ripe, fruit-forward wines with excellent concentration from reduced yields.

2022Peak 2025–20322036

2015

At peak

Exceptional

Seriously good Pinot Noir from concentrated, textural fruit. Lower yields delivered wines of excellent depth, complexity, and structure.

2018Peak 2021–20282032

2014

Drink now

Excellent

Warm, dry conditions produced ripe, generous Pinot Noir. The warmest vintage since 1998 delivered wines with good concentration and approachable character.

2017Peak 2020–20252028

2013

Drink now

Excellent

Excellent quality from drought-reduced yields. Concentrated, well-structured Pinot Noir with good depth.

2016Peak 2019–20242027

2010

Past window

Excellent

Very good vintage for Pinot Noir. Cooler conditions produced wines with good structure, balance, and elegance.

2013Peak 2016–20212024

2009

Past window

Excellent

Praised for perfume and firm structure. Only 75% of average yields but the concentration benefited Pinot Noir.

2012Peak 2014–20192022

White

2024

At peak

Exceptional

An exceptional vintage, potentially the finest ever for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Pristine fruit with ideal ripeness and excellent acidity despite the driest growing season on record.

2024Peak 2024–20272029

2023

At peak

Excellent

Marlborough shone in an otherwise traumatic vintage for New Zealand. Naturally lower yields produced concentrated wines with good varietal expression.

2023Peak 2023–20262027

2022

Drink now

Excellent

Excellent year for Marlborough whites, making up for the smaller 2021 vintage. Generous yields of healthy fruit produced vibrant, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc with classic regional character.

2022Peak 2022–20252026

2021

Past window

Excellent

Small but perfectly formed vintage. Chilly spring frosts and intermittent rain reduced yields, but the resulting wines are fresh, fruit-forward, aromatic, with complex sophisticated structures.

2021Peak 2021–20242025

2020

Past window

Excellent

A long, pleasant growing season delivered excellent fruit quality despite pandemic disruptions at harvest. Clean, concentrated fruit produced vibrant Sauvignon Blanc with strong varietal expression.

2020Peak 2020–20232024

2019

Past window

Exceptional

Widely regarded as the best vintage in Marlborough history at the time. Perfect natural balance with modest alcohols, bright acidity, and strong varietal expression.

2019Peak 2019–20222024

2016

Past window

Excellent

Moderate and dry conditions yielded classically-styled Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Textbook varietal expression with good balance between tropical and herbaceous notes.

2016Peak 2016–20182020

2015

Past window

Excellent

Very concentrated and textural whites from lower yields. Intense aromatics with excellent depth and complexity.

2015Peak 2015–20172019

2014

Past window

Excellent

Warm vintage, the warmest since 1998, producing ripe, generous Sauvignon Blanc with tropical fruit character. Good intensity and concentration.

2014Peak 2014–20162018

2013

Past window

Excellent

Exceptional quality despite low yields from drought. Healthy, concentrated fruit with intense varietal expression.

2013Peak 2013–20152017

2010

Past window

Excellent

Very good vintage across New Zealand. Cooler conditions produced Sauvignon Blanc with excellent acidity and classic herbaceous-tropical balance.

2010Peak 2010–20122014

Subregions

Awatere ValleySouthern ValleysWairau Valley

Terroir & Character

Climate

sunnydrycool nightsmaritime

Cool maritime climate with long, dry summers and significant diurnal temperature variation. Cool nights help preserve the bright acidity that makes Marlborough wines so food-friendly, while sunny days develop intense fruit flavors.

Terroir

diverse soilsalluvialclay

Young alluvial soils deposited by ancient rivers, ranging from free-draining gravels in the Wairau Valley to clay-rich soils in the Awatere. The diverse soil types, combined with varying elevations and microclimates, allow for multiple harvest times and diverse wine styles within the region.

Typical Aromas

passion fruitgooseberrycut grassbell peppergrapefruit zestelderflower

Explore the aroma wheel

Classification System

New Zealand uses a simple GI system that defines wine regions geographically. No mandatory quality hierarchy, though sub-regions are gaining recognition.

Sub-region

Specific areas like Wairau Valley or Southern Valleys

Region

Defined wine-growing area (e.g. Marlborough)

Island

North Island or South Island designation

Grapes of Marlborough

Chardonnay

green applelemonpearmelon

Arguably the world's most versatile white grape. Takes on the character of where it grows and how it is made, from steely, mineral Chablis to rich, oaky New World styles.

Pinot Gris

lemonpeachmangobanana

The richer, more complex expression of the Pinot Gris / Grigio grape, associated with Alsace. Spicy, full-bodied wines with lower acidity and often a hint of sweetness.

Pinot Noir

strawberryraspberryred cherryviolet

Thin-skinned grape with naturally low tannin. Typically made as a single varietal; also used extensively for Champagne and other sparkling wines.

Riesling

green applelimelemonwhite peach

Highly aromatic with naturally high acidity. Produced across a full sweetness spectrum from bone-dry to botrytis-affected dessert wines. Susceptible to noble rot.

Sauvignon Blanc

grassasparagusgooseberrypassion fruit

Benchmark for pungent, tropical style

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Marlborough wine special?▼

Marlborough revolutionized Sauvignon Blanc in the 1980s with its distinctive pungent, tropical, and herbaceous style that became a global benchmark. The region's unique terroir at the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island creates incredibly expressive wines. It's now New Zealand's largest and most famous wine region, putting the country on the world wine map.

What are the best Marlborough vintages?▼

2024 is absolutely stellar - it's rated 5/5 for both reds and whites, with potentially the finest Sauvignon Blanc ever from Marlborough. 2023 was excellent too at 4/5, with concentrated Pinot Noir from naturally lower yields. 2022 was another standout year for whites, making up for the smaller 2021 harvest.

What grapes are grown in Marlborough?▼

Sauvignon Blanc is the star here, but Marlborough grows excellent Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Gris too. While Sauvignon Blanc put the region on the map, the Pinot Noir has really come into its own in recent years. The cool climate suits these varieties perfectly.

Is 2024 a good year for Marlborough?▼

2024 is exceptional - rated a perfect 5/5 for both reds and whites. It was the driest vintage in nearly a century, which concentrated flavors beautifully in the Pinot Noir. For Sauvignon Blanc, it's being called potentially the finest vintage ever from Marlborough.

When should I drink Marlborough 2024?▼

The 2024 Sauvignon Blancs are drinking beautifully now and over the next 2-3 years while they're fresh and vibrant. The 2024 Pinot Noirs, being so concentrated from those dry conditions, can be enjoyed now but will reward cellaring for 5-8 years. The quality is so high that these wines have great aging potential.

What food pairs well with Marlborough wines?▼

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is fantastic with goat cheese, fresh seafood, and anything with herbs - think fish tacos or pesto dishes. The Pinot Noirs pair beautifully with salmon, duck, or mushroom dishes. Those tropical notes in the Sauvignon Blanc also work surprisingly well with spicy Asian cuisine.

How does Marlborough compare to Loire Valley?▼

While Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc tends to be more mineral-driven and restrained, Marlborough's style is much more exuberant with intense tropical fruit and herbaceous character. Loire has that classic Old World elegance, but Marlborough created an entirely new expression of Sauvignon Blanc that's more immediately appealing. Both are world-class, just completely different personalities.