Malborough Wine Region Cellar Doors

Henri Bourgeois focuses on Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir in Sancerre, and Clos Henri mirrors that philosophy in Marlborough. Both varieties are grown across three distinct soil types on the estate, producing wines that highlight terroir.

The Petit Clos range represents young vines with fruit sourced from all three soils. Bel Echo Sauvignon Blanc, from two clay soils, shows ripe tropical notes; Bel Echo Pinot Noir, from greywacke stone, shows bright fruit with a subtle smoky edge from barrel work.

The Clos Henri flagship wines are premium selections: Sauvignon Blanc from greywacke soils delivers elegance and purity; Pinot Noir from the clay parcels balances power and finesse. These wines are cellared prior to release and continue to age gracefully.

Allan Scott Family Estate was founded in 1990 in Marlborough, though Allan planted some of the region’s first vines in 1973 while contracting for Montana. In 1975, Allan and his wife Cathy purchased land, began growing grapes, and sold fruit while Allan gained further viticulture experience with Corbans. They remained contract growers until launching their own label in 1990; the Cellar Door was built in 1991.

The family business now includes their three children: Victoria (marketing and hospitality), Josh (chief winemaker and founder of Moa Brewery), and Sarah (trained in winemaking and viticulture, often in the vineyards). A comments book in the restaurant dates back to December 1991.

Brancott Estate helped found the Marlborough wine region by planting the first commercial vines in 1973 (originally under the Montana name, founded by Croatian immigrant Ivan Yukich). The initial plantings were in the Brancott Valley and were all done by hand—workers even used a rifle sight to keep vine rows straight.

They released their first Sauvignon Blanc in 1979 and led early Pinot Noir plantings in Marlborough. The first cellar door sat off SH1 south of Blenheim; today, the Heritage Centre overlooking the valley showcases the estate with stunning views—well worth a visit.

Dave and Chris settle on Marlborough New Zealand and bought some land off a local farmer, however, the land was surrounded by farming and a little away from other vineyards. Now the land is in the heart of the vines of the Marlborough wine region. They continued to work in Wellington and come to Marlborough at the weekends. Starting with Pinot Gris Dave and Chris hand planting all the vines.

The Bladen wines label has a pair of gloves on as they soon discovered hand planting in stony soil was hard on the hands and gloves were essential. This weekend work continued over a number of seasons until all the vines were planted. They have the oldest Pinot Gris vines in the region. Their name comes from their kids names being Blair and Denny.

1999 to 2002 we then set about learning how to manage a vineyard. To help fund the venture Peter would often be working in Wellington during the week leaving Jane to train the 22,000 new vines on her own. We would work together all weekend spending the night in our old caravan. The rugged life!

After two modest harvests the 2003 crop was completely destroyed by a late spring frost with no grape income for another 18 months and more travel for Peter. Facing the reality of the hardship operating a vineyard, we faced the possibility of giving up. However, the story took a different turn and hopes of realising our dream were renewed. In 2003 our son Simon joined the team after completing his BVO and working vintages in Australia, Germany and New Zealand.

2003

Established in 1985, Cloudy Bay Winery was one of the first five wine makers to venture into Marlborough New Zealand.

However, Cloudy Bay’s founder – David Hohnen from Margaret River – was convinced of its potential to produce great wine. Cloudy Bay winery takes its name from the local Bay.

Captain Cook explored the region and noted the sediment coming down the river making the water in the bay cloudy. Hence, the name Cloudy Bay.

In 2003 Cloudy Bay Vineyards was bought by the multinational luxury goods firm LVMH Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy through its champagne house Veuve Clicquot. Cloudy Bay has a reputation for making consistent quality wines, hence they are usually found on the top shelf.

The story of Forrest will always be firmly connected to the world-class wine-growing region of Marlborough.

For many generations, the family have called this land their home. Even when John and Brigid Forrest led successful scientific research and medicine careers, they left it all behind to try their hand at a reasonably green New Zealand wine industry in the late 1980s.

With their first vintage coming in 1990 — the result of an over-filled red wine fermenter “accidentally” birthing a trophy-winning Merlot Rosé — Forrest has been enjoying success after success ever since.

Fast forward over 30 years, and Forrest is set for generations.

Framingham wines Marlborough, setup by Rex Brooke-Taylor. The name comes from his ancestral home the town of Framingham in Norfolk England. One of the first wineries to plant Riesling in the region. Therefore they have some of the oldest Riesling vines in Marlborough at over 35 years old.

Initially they used other wineries facilities to produce their early releases. In 1994 they released the first wine under the estate label. Framingham built their current winery in 1998, thus creating their part in the history of the region. Rex decided to sell the winery to Pernot Ricard in 2004, thus allowing further investment and to utilise their channels to market. A change of Focus by Pernot Ricard lead to Sogrape buying them in 2009.

Fromm Winery Marlborough planted their first vines in 1992. Planted by Hätsch Kalberer and the Fromm team under the guidance of their Swiss founders, Georg and Ruth Fromm. Georg and Ruth have since returned to Switzerland and sold the winery to Pol Lenzinger and Swiss business partner George Walliser. Despite the change of ownership Hätsch continues to be the head winemaker. Fromm is fully organic in the production of grapes and the wines. They are unusual in the Marlborough region in that they make more Red wine than White wine. The Red varieties grown are Pinot Noir, Syrah and Malbec, with the Malbec vines being the oldest Malbec vines in Marlborough.

Gibson Bridge is a boutique family owned vineyard located in Renwick, the heart of New Zealand's premium white grape growing region - Marlborough. Howard and Julie Simmonds have established, and tend their vineyard on the bank of the fast flowing alpine fed Gibson Creek. Howard planted the block with Pinot Gris as a mainstay but also with tiny quantities of Syrah, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Gewürtztraminer. Gibson Bridge produce small quantities of premium wine with Howard the Viticulturist and Phillip Steel, Head Wine Maker at Marlborough Vintners.

Giesen wines, setup by the 3 Giesen brothers Alex, Theo and Marcel in 1981. Alex and Theo were travelling the world and fell in love with New Zealand. Purchasing land just north of Christchurch to grow vines their story begins. At the time of planting, it was the most southerly vineyard in the world. Marcel went to wine making school in Germany and four years later joined his two brothers in New Zealand.

Hans was born into a 500-year-old Swiss winegrowing legacy and pursued formal education with Diplomas in Viticulture and Winemaking, and a master’s in Winemaking. Despite early stints at other wineries, Hans realized his heart belonged in the vineyard, believing great wines begin with meticulous care of the vines. As chief winemaker for a large Swiss wine merchant, he transformed must from across Europe into award-winning wines, but his vigneron spirit always called him back to the fields.

Organically grown with a deep reverence for tradition, our wines embody a respect for heritage—for the land that shapes us, the values that guide us, and the relationships we’ve carefully nurtured over time.

Inspired by the revered Huia bird—a sacred Māori symbol of honour and partnership. Each feather symbolised status and significance, a gift embodying the deepest respect. In the same spirit, each wine is crafted with deep care and integrity. Our winemaking is thoughtful, unhurried, and driven by a pursuit of purity and balance.

Hunters wines formed in 1979 by an Irish man Ernie Hunter and an Australian Jane Arnold. Jane, from South Australia, was working as viticulture manager for Montana and therefore left that role to be part of Hunters Wines. Montana planted the first vines in Marlborough in 1973, so Hunters were very early adopters in the region. A successful start with their first 6 wines all wining awards in New Zealand Ernie set his sights on International awards.

In 1986 he flew to London to showcase Hunters wines Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. He was delighted when both the wines won awards. Hunter’s surprised the wine world by winning The Sunday Times Vintage Festival in the UK with an oak aged Sauvignon Blanc. This award helped to put Marlborough on the world wine map, but unfortunately in 1987 Ernie died in a car accident. Jane, by that time Ernie’s wife, had a decision to make on the future of the winery. She has continued at the helm of the winery since that date with help from her brother in laws family.

In 1855 Adam Jackson bought his first blocks of land in the heart of the Marlborough region, along with what was to become known as Jacksons road. The infamous gum tree known as the ‘Grey ghost’ was planted shortly after in 1867 on the land now known as our Homestead vineyard.

Fast forward to 1990 and fifth generation Jackson, John Stichbury planted the first vines on the homestead block, with their first wines released in 1991 – Jackson estate wines were born. Proceeding to go from strength to strength, taking out the coveted Sauvignon Blanc trophy at the London International wine competition in 1993.

Johanneshof Cellars is one of Marlborough's earliest vineyards and wineries, still owned by the original founders Edel Everling and Warwick Foley. Proudly celebrating 35 vintages at their boutique winery Johanneshof this year, Edel and Warwick's pioneering spirit saw them create New Zealand's first underground rock cellar in 1993. Uncountable accolades are testimony of Johanneshof's unconditional quest for balanced quality wines, while caring for the land and environment in a regenerative way to offer you the most enjoyable wine experience possible.

Lawsons Dry Hills name comes from a fusion of their surname and the dry hills behind the winery, known as the Wither Hills. Ross and Barbara Lawson started in the early days of the Marlborough wine region. They started as grape growers selling them to wineries. They planted their first vines in 1980, so making Ross and Barbara early adopters in the region. After 12 years it was time to have their own label, thus starting Lawsons Dry Hills winery in 1992. They chose Gewurztraminer as their first vines before the Marlborough Wine region became famous for Sauvignon Blanc.

Making wine that people love takes more than place - it takes spirit, attitude and authenticity. We strive to be friendly, down to earth and approachable and we hope you find these qualities in our wine too.

Mount Riley is a member of Appellation Marlborough Wine (see www.appellationmarlboroughwine.co.nz) and John is the current chairperson.

Robert Hill Smith owns Nautilus Estate winery and also owns the Yalumba winery in Australia. Nautilus is a mid sized winery. They have a mixture of Nautilus owned vineyards and contract growers vineyards. The combined vineyards allow them to cover the diverse soil types of the Marlborough wine region. They source grapes from the Wairau Valley and the Awatere Valley 25 kms further south. As the family own and operate it, so they are eligible to be a member of the Family of Twelve. This is a group of 12 family-owned great wineries from each of NZ’s wine growing regions.

Owned and operated by Daniel Le Brun. Daniel is a 12th Generation French Champanoise. Daniels family first planted vines in the Champagne region of France in 1684. Daniel left France over 40 years ago in search of a new challenge. He purchased the first block of land near Renwick in the Wairau valley of Marlborough and setup his first venture in New Zealand.

No1 Family estate, his second venture, founded in 1997 by Daniel and his wife Adele. Daniel’s aim was, and still is, to produce the best Méthode Traditionelle wine in New Zealand. Méthode Traditionelle is Champagne in all but name, however cannot be called Champagne as the fruit is grown and the wine produced in New Zealand. At the time of writing this page they are the only winery to just make Méthode Traditionelle wine, hence unique in New Zealand.

Rockferry Wines is a small organic winery located in the Marlborough wine region. They have 3 vineyards. Two in Marlborough and one in Bendigo Central Otago. Their total production quantity is around 8000 12 bottle cases. Owners Tom and Fiona converted their house to become the cellar door in 2011, therefore giving a location to serve and sell their wines. Since then a new cellar door has been build, therefore separating the Restaurant and Cellar door.

The Restaurant is a great place to have a lovely lunch. They serve rustic cafe style food. A perfect match with their wines. Enjoy sitting inside, on the balcony or within the garden.

The cellar door offer the choice to sit inside or outside while tasting their wines.

Spy Valley Winery founded in the 1990s by Bryan and Jan Johnson. They established 320 acres of estate vineyards on land considered too hard, too dry and too infertile for wine in the Waihopai Valley. Hence accepting a big challenge. The next question was to name the winery.

Brian and Jan thought long and hard and decided to use a combination of a local landmark and the Waihopai Valley. The government communication center in the picture is known locally as the spy base. Therefore they decided on the name Spy Valley Winery. To this day marketing make use of this. Morse code is used on the side of the building and around their bottles. The phonetic alphabet is used on their merchandise and James bond pictures adorn areas of their cellar door. Marketing as a result have lots of fun with this idea.

St Clair family estate owned and setup by Neil and Judy Ibbotson started growing grapes in 1978. Early adopters for the Marlborough wine region, initially they sold their grapes to early producers. However, Neil had a desire to increase the quality of wines in the region and decided to create his own label and winery. Their first wines were released in 1994 and each wine won at least one award.

The name St Clair is derived from their first vineyard originally settled by pioneer James Sinclair. The St Clair winery is in the Riverlands area just outside Blenheim, however the Cellar door is located in the Wairau valley close to other cellar doors. Therefore very easy to visit on your Marlborough wine tour.

Founded in 2004 by the then-23-year-old Kate, Sugar Loaf Wines has been an adventure every step of the way. After studying Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University and several brief stints overseas, Kate moved to Marlborough and got to work. In 2007 the opportunity arose to purchase a vineyard and disused apple cider factory, we set the winery up in time for 2008. The operation has grown with 26ha of vineyards and a purpose-built winemaking facility.

Being both winemakers, when we first talked about doing our own thing – we decided that having our own winery was of paramount importance. It meant we could pick things when we wanted to and make them exactly how we wanted to, without having to make any of the compromises involved in making our wines in a contract facility.

The winery building here at Te Whare Ra had very humble beginnings as a tractor shed and has been added to over time. Our winery is a bit like us – not flashy, not showy and very down to earth!

Villa Maria wines founded by Sir George Fistonich in 1961 when George was just 21 years old. George leased 5 acres of land off his father and planted 1 acre of vines. In the 1960’s most of the wine in New Zealand came from European producers. George need to come up with a name and Villa Maria wines seemed appropriate as the name could have come from a number of European countries. They are now a large global brand exporting to over 50 countries around the world. George became Sir George in 2009 for his services to the New Zealand Wine Industry.

Wairau River Wines, a medium sized family run winery setup by Phil and Chris Rose. Marlborough is a very young wine region with the first vines planted in 1973. Phil and Chris had the vision to plant vines in Marlborough New Zealand in 1978 therefore being early adopters for the region. In the early years they grew and supplied fruit to other wineries in the region. In 1991 this changed when they decided to release wine under their own label thus forming Wairau River wines.

The name ‘Wairau River’ comes from the fact that this river forms the main valley of the Marlborough wine region namely the Wairau Valley. Today they have grown, as have their family, they now have 10 estate vineyards all owned and operated by family members. This allows them to control the yield in vineyards and therefore the quality and flavour concentration of the grapes.

Whitehaven wines, based in the Marlborough wine region, founded in 1994 by Sue and Greg White. Before setting up the winery Sue and Greg sailed the Pacific in their sailing boat. While sailing Sue and Greg had to shelter from a storm and the Marlborough Sounds became their haven. The name for Whitehaven wines is derived from Sue and Greg’s surname and their haven, the Marlborough Sounds. Since their founding they have grown steadily with the USA being a very large market for their wines. Sue runs the business now since the death of Greg in 2007 from cancer.

Wither Hills winery has become firmly established in Marlborough New Zealand. Founded in the early 1990’s by Brent Marris With their first vintage in 1994. The winery is named after the range of hills immediately behind the Winery called The Wither Hills. Brent ran and grew the winery for a number of years, selling to Lion Nathan in 2002.

By 2001 Wither Hills were producing about 10,000 cases a year. Soon that increased to as many as 200,000 cases – or nearly one million litres of wine. Brent continued to make their wine after the sale to Lion Nathan for a further 4 years. Today Wither Hills winery is one of the largest producers of wine in the Marlborough wine region with a beautiful cellar door to showcase their wines.

Sustainability is at the heart of our winemaking philosophy, from the careful management of our vines and land, to the way we operate our winery and craft our wines. We're always trialing new sustainability initiatives at Yealands both in the vineyard and the winery, but there's plenty already in place. Take a look at "Our Place" to see what we're already doing.