Every vintage tells a different story.
While no two growing seasons are ever the same, the conditions experienced throughout 2026 combined to produce what our winery team believes will be remembered as an outstanding Marlborough vintage. From a strong start in spring through to an ideal ripening period and an efficient harvest, mother nature delivered the right ingredients at the right time to create wines with remarkable purity, balance and flavour.
A Flying Start
Following a wet, mild winter, our vineyards entered spring with healthy soil moisture and very little frost pressure. Warm, sunny conditions encouraged rapid vine growth, resulting in one of the quickest progressions from budburst to flowering we've seen in recent years.
As always in viticulture, timing is everything.
Just as flowering began, temperatures eased back to more typical seasonal conditions. This natural shift helped moderate fruit set, creating balanced crop levels and beautifully open bunches that would prove invaluable later in the season.
A Summer That Kept the Vines Thriving
Summer brought cooler-than-average temperatures, accompanied by a notably wet January. While rain during the growing season can often cause concern, these conditions arrived at the right time to replenish valuable soil moisture reserves and support steady berry development, without compromising vine health.
The result was vines that remained balanced, healthy and well-positioned as the fruit entered the final stages of ripening.
The Perfect Finish
If the season laid the foundations, February provided the finishing touch.
Warm, sunny days and predominantly dry weather created near-perfect ripening conditions across our Marlborough vineyards. Fruit was able to mature steadily, developing exceptional flavour concentration while retaining the natural freshness and vibrant acidity that define the region's finest wines.
Harvest began slightly earlier than usual, with fruit arriving at the winery in excellent condition. Thanks to favourable weather, picking progressed smoothly before finishing with a concentrated push through April.
A Vintage Full of Promise
Reflecting on the season, General Manager of Winery, Matt Mitchell, says the 2026 vintage has all the hallmarks of an exceptional year.
"Vintage 2026 was a wonderful example of how balance throughout the growing season can translate into quality in the glass. Every stage seemed to arrive at the right time, allowing the vines to develop naturally and the fruit to reach excellent flavour maturity. We're seeing incredible varietal expression, vibrant aromatics and wonderful balance across the wines, and we're excited to share them over the coming months and years."
Looking Ahead
Although the wines are still in the early stages of their journey, the signs are incredibly encouraging.
Across our Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Rosé and aromatic varieties, we're already seeing bright fruit expression, impressive concentration and the freshness that Marlborough is celebrated for around the world.
Vintage 2026 is shaping up to be one we'll remember—not simply for favourable conditions, but for the beautifully balanced wines those conditions have produced.
We can't wait to share them with you.