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Marlborough WEB Guide

 Picton NZ

Marlborough New Zealand-harvesting the sunshine

The greens, blues and golds of Marlborough's landscape reflect the profound pleasures to be found in the wine capital of New Zealand.

With 40% of the nation's vineyards and an international reputation for it's dazzling cool-climate Sauvignon Blancs and other rising stars- including Pinot Noir and Riesling - the province is becoming a magnet to wine lovers, tourists and investors.

The largest area of wine activity is the Wairau Valley, a broad plain edged by the dark, blue Richmond Ranges to the North and the tawny flanks of the Wither Hills in the South. Rows of grapevines march across the landscape here as well as in the neighbouring Awatere Valley where the snow capped Mt Tapue-o-nuku stands sentinel.

The fertile alluvial soils which make Marlborough wines so special and also grow cherries, garlic, olives and other prime produce, were deposited by the Wairau and Awatere Rivers which continue to provide much needed irrigation. From the mountains, the Wairau weaves across the plains while the Awatere has cut deeply into soft papa rock as it flows to the East Coast where Pacific waves pound the rocky shoreline.

There are many organised tourist activities, but you can also create your own experience of Marlborough's environment. For example; tasting the fruits of the surrounding earth served up with a dollop of city sophistication at relaxed cafes and wineries, cycling from vineyard to vineyard, walking beside the picturesque Taylor River, climbing the Wither Hills for views across the Wairau Valley, Cloudy Bay and to the North Island or strolling in the newly refurbished towns of Blenheim, Picton and Havelock where hustle and bustle are a world away.

The Marlborough Sounds in the north are a complete contrast to inland Marlborough. Here ancient drowned river valleys create a landscape of hidden bays and bush-clad hillsides lapped by the gleaming sea. The beauty, serenity and rejuvenating powers of this timeless landscape can be appreciated through bush walking, boating or simply enjoying the views and ambience.

Further South, on the East Coast, the town of Kaikoura perches on a rocky peninsula beside one of the natural wonders of the world- the Kaikoura Canyon which slices one kilometre through the continental shelf surrounding New Zealand. Here deep sea trenches team with a rich variety of marine flora and fauna including whales, dolphins and crayfish.

Marlborough wines earned $188 million in the last year but the optimism and growth in the province is even more diverse and broad based. Tourism ($130 million p/a), pastoral farming ($114 million p/a ) mussels ($90 million p/a) and forestry ($50 million p/a) are all prospering and there are many opportunities to invest in a piece of the action.

The region basks in more than 2400 sunshine hours per annum. Awash with sun and a wonderful quality of light, the mellow landscape encourages a relaxed and deeply satisfying lifestyle.

Marlburians are people of the land. Living and working in such a magnificent climate and environment means they have a healthy respect for nature and while they may achieve excellence, nationally and internationally, they remain firmly rooted in the rich, plentiful Marlborough soil. Stay a while, explore some our website and experience what makes Marlborough special to us…….