If the only thing that comes to mind when you think about New Zealand wine is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, you are not alone. While that powerhouse region in the north of the country’s South Island churns out around 70 percent of all New Zealand wine, Martinborough, a tiny region in the south of the North Island makes only 2 percent of New Zealand’s bottles. A small but mighty region, Martinborough, with Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Syrah, and even sparkling wine that are worth looking out for.
Ben Tombs, chief winemaker at Craggy Range, works with vineyards here as well as in Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough. In addition to soil and climate, he says intense spring winds and low summer temperatures slow down vine growth and ripening and “this very long, often challenging growing season gives rise to deeply complex, perfumed Pinot Noir that are absolutely delicious and unique.” We agree. We chose Craggy Range 2020 Aroha Pinot Noir from the Te Muna Road vineyard as Robb Report’s “Best of the Best” wine from New Zealand in 2023.
Excerpt Taken From: Robb Report
Author: Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen
