Press Releases
Marlborough is unique - not for any one reason, but for many. From vintage updates and industry milestones to regional achievements and new announcements, our press releases keep you connected with everything happening in Marlborough wine - straight from the source.
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Meet our Cellar Door hosts: Sarah Lee Whyte, Yealands
Meet Sarah Lee Whyte, cellar door ambassador at Yealands. From welcoming visitors from around the world to sharing her passion for Marlborough wine, Sarah loves being part of the experiences that make a visit to the region special.
Find out what she enjoys most about cellar door life and why autumn is her favourite time of year in Marlborough.
Judging gets under way at the 2026 Marlborough Wine Show
More than 550 wines will go before the judges this week as tasting for the 2026 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, gets underway at Marlborough Events Centre.
Marlborough’s aromatic diversity on display
Four wonderfully unique, yet distinctively Marlborough wines will be on offer at the Wine + Food Experience Marlborough from this month, offering an opportunity to taste the depth of diversity the region has to offer through its wines.
Nick Lamain becomes the 2026 Young Winemaker of the Year, and Kris Godsall is the 2026 Young Viticulturist of the Year
Congratulations to Nick Lamain, 30, from Isabel Estate in Marlborough, who is the 2026 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year. Congratulations also to Kris Godsall, 24, from Cloudy Bay, Marlborough, who is the 2026 Young Viticulturist of the Year.
Winemaker Q&A: Brent Marris
From planting the first vines in Marlborough to setting international benchmarks, Brent Marris remains enamoured with Sauvignon Blanc.
Marlborough Wine & Food Festival to take a pause
The Wine Marlborough Board and management have today announced that the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival will be placed on hold following “a number of difficult but necessary discussions”, says Wine Marlborough General Manager Marcus Pickens.
“It was a hard decision, particularly given the festival’s long history and the special place it holds for our industry and the many people who look forward to it each year. We are proud of the successful event we have built and grateful to the people, businesses and community groups who have helped make it possible.
Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2025 Awarded Outstanding 93-Point Rating by Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The accolades keep rolling in for Whitehaven’s Sauvignon Blanc 2025. Following its Diamond Trophy at the Sakura Japan Women's Wine Awards and Gold Medal at Mundus Vini, the company’s flagship Sauvignon Blanc has now earned an impressive 93-point rating from Robert Parker Wine Advocate, one of the world's most respected and influential wine publications.
Nick Lamain from Isabel Estate wins 2026 Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year
Congratulations to Nick Lamain from Isabel Estate, who was crowned the 2026 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year following the competition held on 15 July at the Marlborough Research Centre (MRC) and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) in Blenheim.
Winemaker Q&A: Jane Hunter
The ‘First Lady of New Zealand Wine’ reflects on Hunter’s Wines rich history, from a legacy of quality and award-winning wines to a sense of optimism for the future of Marlborough wine.
Winemaker Q&A: Mike Eaton
Respecting the unique characteristics of each vineyard site – and taking care of the vines for the long run – is the approach Mike Eaton brings to his winemaking. And now, so does his son.
Showcasing a Sense of Place
Four wines in a showcase display at Wine + Food Experience Marlborough are top examples of what careful site selection can achieve.
A mix of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, they each picked up at least one trophy at the 2025 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.
Who will be the next 2026 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year?
The Young Winemaker Competition provides a fantastic opportunity for future winemakers 30 years or under to upskill, grow in confidence, widen their network and start making a name for themselves within the industry. The winner of the regional competition will compete in the National competition against other regions. We are pleased to introduce you to the contestants competing in the Marlborough competition taking place on Wednesday 15th July.
Major conference program announced
Returning to Marlborough from 23–25 June 2026, WinePro NZ will deliver a powerful combination of exhibition, conference sessions and exhibitor-led Floor Talks focused on the issues shaping vineyard performance, winemaking efficiency, profitability, and long-term resilience. Far more than a traditional trade event, WinePro NZ has been designed around one question many businesses are asking today: “What practical things can we do right now?”
Kris Godsall from Cloudy Bay is the 2026 Ormond Nurseries Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year
Congratulations to Kris Godsall from Cloudy Bay, who became the 2026 Ormond Nurseries Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year on 28 May. The 24-year-old was thrilled to raise the trophy and delighted that his hard work had paid off.
Congratulations also to Harry Watson from Berakah Vineyard Management, who came second, and Isaac Langley from Pecchenino Viticulture Services, who came third. The competition was tight at the top, and all the contestants gave it their all, whilst competing with great respect and support for each other.
“Simply Magic” Marlborough Vintage
Marlborough’s 2026 vintage conditions were “simply magic,” says Clos Henri winemaker Damien Yvon, reflecting on four perfect weeks in the lead up to harvest. Warm days and cold nights resulted in wines with “power”, along with “freshness and finesse”, he says from the small Wairau Valley vineyard and winery. “And that combination is just amazing.”
Sauvignon Blanc takes the Spotlight at Wine + Food Experience
Sauvignon Blanc is in the spotlight at Wine + Food Experience Marlborough as the region’s best examples of the variety take centre stage.
Five Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs of different styles are the current focus of a wine display celebrating Marlborough’s most successful wines at the 2025 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.
WinePro is back!
WinePro 2026 is fast approaching, returning to Blenheim from 23–25 June. This year’s conference programme is built around three key themes: Producer, Innovator, and Seller - reflecting the full journey of our region’s wine sector.
The three-day conference is designed to deliver practical, regionally relevant insights from expert speakers, alongside panel discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities shaping Marlborough’s future.
Explore the full three day programme here.
Young Viticulturists start preparing for the 2026 competitions
As the leaves in the vineyards turn to gold, Young Viticulturists around New Zealand are turning their focus to silver with the goal of raising their coveted regional trophy and ultimately the national trophy as the 2026 Ormond Nurseries New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year.
007 out of seven golds. Spy Valley takes LWC “Winery of the Year New Zealand”
Spy Valley Wines has gone seven for seven, winning golds for all their wines at the 2026 London Wine Competition and earning “Winery of the Year New Zealand”.
Among the seven golds were 2023 Envoy by Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 2024 Spy Valley Chardonnay, and 2025 Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc.
Astrolabe Releases Two Small Production Wines from Beacon Hill Vineyard in Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley
On May 1st, Sauvignon Blanc Day 2026, Astrolabe Wines will be launching two new Southern Valleys wines, a Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah, to add to their subregional offering.