“Simply Magic” Marlborough Vintage
“Simply Magic” Marlborough Vintage2026 VINTAGE REPORT
Vintage worker Corentin Viellefond at Clos Henri. Photo Thomas Lugo
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.”
Nigel Sowman, who is a grape grower, viticulturist for Dog Point Vineyard and, like Damien, a Marlborough Winegrowers board member, says the vintage was just what the region needed as it works through an oversupply, with managed crop levels, naturally lighter yields, beautiful growing conditions and excellent fruit across all varieties. “This is the best thing that could happen,” he says.
Exceptional spring conditions set vineyards up for what looked like an early harvest, before a late December switch in weather conditions heralded a month of cool and wet weather, slowing vines down, so brix levels moderated while flavours developed. That balance continued when summer finally arrived in late February, with warm days continuing through March, while cool nights kept sugar development in check. “That meant we could harvest when things were physiologically ripe, as opposed to sugar ripe,” Nigel says. “Time on vine is the best way to build flavour.”
Victoria Raw, from the Bioeconomy Science Institute, keeps a close eye on Marlborough's weather and grapevine phenology over the season, comparing data to previous seasons and the long term average (LTA). She notes that "stunning" spring and autumn conditions made up for January’s grim climate, with 1492 Growing Degree Days (GDDs) between September 1 and April 30, which is nearly 195 GDDs more than the LTA. January's gloomy weather included 108mm of rain, which bumped the tally to 438.2mm between September 1 and April 30, compared to the LTA of 382.5mm.
That had viticulturists on their toes during January, while winemakers prepared for challenges in the winery, says Dave Edmonds, chief winemaker at Kim Crawford Wines. But the late summer sunshine saved the season, and he’s delighted with the outcome for all varieties, including Sauvignon Blanc that was clean, “beautiful and golden”, he says. “As a winemaker, I don't like telling people it is easy to make Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough. But it is the perfect region for the variety.”
Despite a vintage that delighted winemakers, the region continues to feel the effects of a structural oversupply. Nigel notes that the light 2021 crop landed in a period of high demand during Covid-19, resulting in companies leaning in for the large 2022 and 2023 vintages. That led to an oversupply, paired with high grape prices and a global downturn in wine consumption. “Wineries have done it very, very tough” since, which was not helped by a bumper 2025 vintage, he says. “But I feel the industry has gone very hard, very quick to try to right the ship.”
He’s heartened that companies imposed much tighter restrictions on fruit intake in 2026, with plans for a similar approach in 2027. That’s meant “tough calls” from wineries and pain for many growers, with lost contracts for some and others facing reduced income in the face of increasing costs. But Nigel says many are turning adversity into opportunity, pulling out older vines with reduced vigour, and either redeveloping or looking at another land use.
Wine Marlborough general manager Marcus Pickens says the harvest was just what the region needed, with lighter yields and excellent quality. But the current challenges are impacting many, including the industry’s contractors and suppliers. “Wine is a massive part of Marlborough’s economy, and when we have a downturn, the whole region feels it. Getting supply back in balance is vital for our industry, and for Marlborough at large.”
To see analysis of predicted and actual bunch numbers, berry numbers, bunch weights and yield per vine go to nzwine.com/members/sustainability/vinefacts