producing beautiful wines that provide a true expression of Marlborough’s unique winegrowing region
About
Marlborough Valley Wines is a family owned Marlborough winery, producing regionally expressive wines.
Based in Marlborough, New Zealand’s flagship wine region, Marlborough Valley Wines harnesses the unique climate and soils of our vineyards in the region, to produce pristine flavorsome grapes.
Our winemaking is led by experienced winemaker Megan Simmonds, and with a consolidated team approach, our wines produced are expressive of Marlborough’s unique and enticing style.
Our aim is to sustainably produce beautiful wines that represent Marlborough’s unique and world class winegrowing region.
Terroir
Marlborough lies in the northeast of New Zealand’s South Island at 41.59 degrees latitude and experiences a cool maritime climate. A combination of cool temperatures, high sunshine hours and low rainfall, in conjunction with free draining and moderately fertile soils, help to produce vivid and unique wines. It’s this unique landscape’s influence on the grapegrowing that put New Zealand on the international wine stage with its powerful Sauvignon Blanc back in the 1980s.
In Marlborough, over 20,000 hectares of vines are planted, the majority of which are Sauvignon Blanc, but also include exquisite Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and wonderful aromatics. The diverse soils and meso-climates are revealing exciting new sub-regions, and it is within these unique sub-regions that Marlborough’s future lies.
southern valleys
The hilly areas wrapping around the Omaka, Fairhall, Brancott, Ben Morven and Waihopai Valleys make up this incredible sub-region.
Soils are typically heavier and contain more clay than the Wairau Valley. It also becomes cooler and drier further south into the valleys. A broad range of varieties are grown according to the merit of each site, with particularly good Pinot Noir and Chardonnay growing in the area.
wairau valley
Old, gravely riverbed soils, and diverse aspects and rainfall create numerous meso-climates within this sub-region.
Broadly, it covers a range of cooler, drier inland sites; barren stony, early-ripening sites; and sea-breeze moderated coastal sites. Across the sub-region wines reflect the strengths of individual vineyards and vignerons, but all have the hallmark fruit intensity and body.
awatere valley
The Awatere Valley is the most geographically distinct sub-region, lying south of the Wairau Valley and stretching inland from the sea, and climbing towards the inland Kaikoura ranges.
Cooler, drier, windier and often with a degree of elevation and undulation, sites with typically lower yields produce bright, aromatic Pinot Noir and dramatic, distinctive Sauvignons, both of which are attracting increasing international acclaim.
OUR VARIETIES
The diversity of the Marlborough region allows us to grow and produce wines in a variety of styles.
Along with our world renowned Sauvignon Blanc, we also produce Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, alongside Merlot, Gruner Veltliner, Pinot Noir Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc Rosé and Gewurztraminer amongst others.
We also produce lighter in alcohol styles at 9.5% abv. These wines are made by carefully harvesting our grapes earlier, so the wines still burst with flavour and concentration but naturally produce less alcohol.
our winemaker
Our winemaking team is led by Megan Simmonds. Megan completed study in winemaking in 1998, and has been in the industry for over 20 years. She loves the dynamic and versatile nature of our industry and loves Marlborough as her home.
Megan is an integral part of the Marlborough Valley Wines team and enjoys working with a vibrant, enthusiastic and passionate group at our winery. “What I love most is being part of a dedicated, fantastic team that consistently produce outstanding wines to be enjoyed by all”.
