We may earn commission as an affiliate from qualifying purchase made through any of the link in this post thank you so much.
Why is marlborough good for wine? I’m not going to try and convince you that Marlborough is the best wine region in the world though there is no denying its place as top producer in New Zealand.
It is a major wine region and it’s our turn to give a bit of information on why this wine region is so good. Marlborough is a region in New Zealand (a country which many believe to be one of the best places to grow grapes).
Marlborough has a warm, dry climate which allows for the grapes to ripen slowly, developing rich flavours during this time. This makes it the perfect environment for wine growing.
Marlborough’s climate is similar to that of Bordeaux, which represents the world’s most renowned wine-growing region. The following two factors make Marlborough’s climate particularly ideal for grape growing.
Marlborough isn’t just New Zealand’s southern-most region. It also produces some of its best vineyards, as well as being one of the best wine regions in the world;
granted, it can only compete with other wine producing countries located in the southern hemisphere due to a considerable lack of competitors (i.e Northern Hemisphere), but still:
it is widely considered one of the best places in the world for growing grapes, and exports an estimated 80% of New Zealands wine production per year.
I thought it would be fitting to take a closer look at what makes Marlborough so great for wine growing and why I think so many vineyards are located there…
Why is marlborough good for wine?
Marlborough is one of New Zealand’s best wine regions for a number of reasons. It’s close to the equator, which means that the sun shines down on it year-round, warming the soil and encouraging plant growth.
The region has a particular microclimate that is perfect for growing grapes: temperatures are relatively cool in summer and warm in winter, meaning that vines get just enough heat to ripen their fruit but not too much so they don’t overheat.
The region is also very dry, with rainfall averaging less than 600mm a year this helps keep vines healthy and disease-free.
Marlborough’s geographical location at the southern end of New Zealand’s South Island makes it an ideal place for wine production. It’s far enough away from the coast to avoid salt spray from the ocean, but close enough for cooling sea breezes to keep things fresh during hot summers.
Marlborough’s climate is ideal for growing grapes, which thrive in the region’s cool temperatures and long daylight hours.
The region has a maritime climate that favours pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay vines. These are all white varieties that thrive in cool climates.
The region’s rainfall is moderate, with most of it falling during the winter months. The summer months are dry and hot, with temperatures reaching 20 degrees Celsius or more on some days.
Marlborough has a long growing season, which means that vines have plenty of time to mature before harvest time. This allows them to produce high quality fruit that develops more flavour than grapes grown elsewhere in New Zealand.
Read more articles: Which Travel Trailer has the Largest Shower
Weather of Marlborough
| Months | Temperature | Rainfall | Wind Speed | Hours of Sunshine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 🌡️ 35°F | 🌧️ 1.7″ | 🌩️ 6.6 | ☀️ 9.5h |
| February | 🌡️ 37°F | 🌧️ 2.0″ | 🌩️ 6.9 | ☀️ 10.6h |
| March | 🌡️ 46°F | 🌧️ 3.1″ | 🌩️ 6.6 | ☀️ 12.0h |
| April | 🌡️ 58°F | 🌧️ 3.5″ | 🌩️ 5.8 | ☀️ 13.4h |
| May | 🌡️ 68°F | 🌧️ 3.3″ | 🌩️ 4.8 | ☀️ 14.6h |
| June | 🌡️ 77°F | 🌧️ 3.4″ | 🌩️ 4.2 | ☀️ 15.2h |
| July | 🌡️ 82°F | 🌧️ 3.0″ | 🌩️ 3.9 | ☀️ 14.9h |
| August | 🌡️ 79°F | 🌧️ 3.2″ | 🌩️ 3.9 | ☀️ 13.8h |
| September | 🌡️ 72°F | 🌧️ 3.4″ | 🌩️ 4.4 | ☀️ 12.4h |
| October | 🌡️ 61°F | 🌧️ 3.9″ | 🌩️ 5.0 | ☀️ 11.0h |
| November | 🌡️ 50°F | 🌧️ 3.5″ | 🌩️ 5.5 | ☀️ 9.8h |
| December | 🌡️ 40°F | 🌧️ 2.7″ | 🌩️ 6.0 | ☀️ 9.1h |
Points to keep in mind
- Marlborough weather and climate
- The map of Marlborough
- Marlborough’s soil is perfect for vineyard
- The climate is just right for vineyard
- No risk from frost during harvest
- Rivers and streams that can be used for irrigation
- Marlborough’s geographic location is unique
Marlborough weather and climate
Marlborough is a region in the South Island of New Zealand. It lies at the south-west corner of the South Island, on the Pacific coast. Marlborough’s climate is temperate with a mild summer and cool, cloudy, wet winters.
The average temperature ranges from 10°C to 16°C in summer and 5°C to 12°C in winter. Annual rainfall ranges between 1,000 and 2,000 millimetres (40 to 80 inches) depending on location.
The prevailing wind is from the west or southwest, so Marlborough receives little rain from frontal systems. In winter, anticyclonic weather dominates, with more stable conditions than in other parts of New Zealand such as Otago or Canterbury.
In spite of its northerly latitude, Marlborough is sheltered from cold westerly winds by the Southern Alps and high hills around Nelson City that block cold air from moving southward into Marlborough from inland areas like Canterbury province or Central Otago region.
Read more articles: Travel Trailer Roof Cleaner and Conditioner
The map of Marlborough
Marlborough is a large town in south-west Wiltshire, England. It lies on the upper reaches of the River Kennet, a tributary of the River Thames, and on the edge of Salisbury Plain. The town’s name is thought to derive from Mary de Burgh, the wife of Henry III’s grandson Edward I.
Marlborough was an important place during Roman times because it stood at a crossroads, as well as being an important centre for iron production and pottery making. The Romans built their settlement at nearby Calleva Atrebatum and it became a flourishing town until the Romans left Britain in about 410 AD.
The medieval town was laid out on a grid pattern centred around St Peter’s Church and continued to grow until the 17th century when it had reached its maximum population of around 7,000 people.
Marlborough’s soil is perfect for vineyard
The soils of Marlborough are perfect for vineyards. The fertile alluvial soils of the Wairau Plain have been gently carved by the Wairau River, a tributary of the Awatere. These soils are unique in New Zealand and are a result of the last ice age when glaciers advanced over what is now Marlborough.
The river has also created some unique landforms that have shaped Marlborough’s wine industry. The flat flood plain creates an ideal environment for vines and encourages extensive irrigation systems.
This was an important factor when selecting sites for vineyards as it provided an inexpensive source of water for irrigation and helped mitigate some of the risks associated with climate change.
The soil in Marlborough has been known for its unique characteristics since European settlers first arrived. It was once described by a visiting Italian wine expert as “the most beautiful soil on earth”.
The region’s soils are made up of two main types: alluvial and marine sediments. Alluvial soils are found along river or stream beds and marine sediments can be found along the coast.
The combination of these two types of soil has given Marlborough its unique characteristics. Marlborough’s alluvial soils are sandier than those found in Central Otago, with a higher salt content due to the close proximity to the sea.
The mix of alluvial and marine sediments means that the vines have access to both fresh water from rivers and streams and seawater from the ocean – an ideal combination for grapevines.
Marlborough is one of the country’s top wine-producing regions. It is home to more than 400 vineyards and is widely regarded as New Zealand’s premier wine region.
The area has a long history of producing grapes and wines. In fact, it was the first place in New Zealand to successfully grow vines on a commercial scale. Today, Marlborough produces around 80% of all New Zealand’s table wines and exports an increasing amount overseas, particularly to Australia and Asia.
Marlborough’s climate is ideal for growing grapes: it enjoys a long growing season (generally from November through February) with warm days and cool nights (perfect for ripening the grapes) that are followed by a hot summer (ideal for ripening red grapes).
The sunshine hours are also high throughout most of this time period; this means that vineyard workers can work longer hours without having to worry about getting too hot or tired before they finish their day’s work.
The soil in Marlborough is very fertile, thanks to its volcanic history. This means that vines are able to produce large amounts of fruit each year – which means higher yields per hectare than other regions such as Waipara or Central Otago!
Read more articles: How Married Couples Enjoy Holiday?
The climate is just right for vineyard
Marlborough, New Zealand’s most popular wine region, is a land of extremes. It’s a place where you can experience the best and worst of New Zealand in just one day. From the picturesque rolling hills of vineyards to the rugged coastal areas, there’s nowhere else like it in the world.
The climateof marlborough is just right for vineyard
It’s hard to believe that this region was once considered unsuitable for growing grapes due to its cool temperatures and wet winters. However, it wasn’t until 1961 when Dr Max Lake planted his first vines in Marlborough that things changed forever.
He was convinced that with some extra care and attention he could develop an area that would be ideal for grape growing.
Today there are more than 1,000 hectares (2,470 acres) of vines planted throughout Marlborough producing some of New Zealand’s best-known wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
A visit to New Zealand’s Marlborough region is not complete without a tour of the vineyards. The area has become famous for its Sauvignon Blanc, and more recently Chardonnay.
The climate in Marlborough is just right for vineyards. The area has a continental climate with hot summers and cool winters. The grape growing season is from September to March each year.
The first vines were planted in 1869 by John Gibb, who imported cuttings from France. By the 1880s there were over 100 hectares planted with vines and by 1890 there were 245 hectares under vines.
The first export of wine was made in 1875 when 11 barrels were shipped to England. In 1886 another export shipment went to Australia by steamship via Wellington and Auckland to Hobart Tasmania.
Read more articles: What Type of Generator do I Need for a Travel Trailer?
No risk from frost during harvest
Marlborough winegrowers have been enjoying some extremely hot days in recent weeks, with temperatures reaching 28 degrees Celsius and more.
In fact, it has been so hot that many winemakers are worried about the state of their grapes. However, there is no need for concern at this stage as the heatwave is not expected to last much longer.
“The weather has been very good,” said James Harris, viticulturist at Te Mata Estate near Havelock North, “but we have had a few days where it was almost too hot.”
“We had one day when it reached 29 degrees Celsius which was pretty close to the max temperature that we would like our vineyard to reach.”
“We have also had a couple of days when it didn’t get above 16 degrees at night which means that if we get any rain then it will be able to penetrate right through down into the roots of our vines.”
The hot weather has also led to some early harvests in some parts of Hawke’s Bay but most vineyards are still allowing their grapes to ripen slowly.
The Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers chief executive, Mike Pero, said many growers were taking advantage of the warm weather and bringing in their fruit early.
“At this stage we’re about three weeks ahead of schedule but it’s still early for us,” he said. “We haven’t seen any real frosts yet so we’re hoping for a nice long season.”
Frost is always a risk during harvest time but with the warmer than average conditions over summer local grape growers have been able to get a head start on their fruit without worry.
The current outlook is for fine weather with little or no rain. Temperatures are expected to be mostly above average through until mid-December, with above average humidity levels spreading from Thursday and into Friday.
There is high confidence that minimum temperatures will be above average across most of New Zealand at the start of next week.
This means there is a higher than normal chance of frosts overnight, especially in rural areas and hilly regions where low temperatures are more likely to drop below zero.
However, the risk of frost will decrease as we move into next week and beyond, as warmer conditions become established over most of New Zealand.
Read more articles: Best Place To Go Camping on Vancouver Island
Rivers and streams that can be used for irrigation
There are numerous rivers and streams that run through Marlborough. The majority of these are seasonal and flow only during the rainy season. However, there are several rivers that flow year round. These include:
The Matau River – This river is located near the town of Blenheim and runs all the way to the Cook Strait at Cooks Beach. It is a tributary of the Wairau River which also flows into Cooks Beach. It is a perennial river but due to its location it will often dry up during summer months.
The Waipuku Stream – This stream originates from the Rapahoe Range and flows into the Wairau River at Blenheim. It is perennial, flowing all year round. The Waipuku Stream is one of three tributaries that join together to form the Wairau River.
The Gordons Road Stream – This stream begins at Gordons Road near Renwick where it flows into Lake Grassmere before joining up with another tributary from Renwick Forest Park to form part of Lake Grassmere’s outflow system which then feeds into Lake Taylor.
The Gordons Road Stream has been identified as an important waterway for the management of water quality in the region. The creek is also a significant tributary for Lake Grassmere and Lake Taylor. Its headwaters are located in the Marlborough Sounds, so it also provides a source of water for the Sounds.
The stream travels through residential areas and pastures before joining up with three other creeks at Gordons Road, which runs through farmland and is used by cows. It then flows onto the shores of Lake Grassmere where it joins up with another tributary from Renwick Forest Park.
Read more articles: Why Island Considered an Important Resource?
Marlborough’s geographic location is unique
Marlborough’s geographic location is unique. It’s part of the Monadnock Region, a geologic region in south central New Hampshire. This area is characterized by hills and valleys, with lowlands along the Connecticut River to the west and highlands along the Massachusetts border to the east.
In addition to its natural beauty, Marlborough has something else that makes it stand out from other communities: its location as a major transportation hub. The town is situated at the intersection of interstates 90 and 91, making it easy to get in and out of town.
If you’re driving north or south on I-90, you’ll pass through Marlborough en route to points like Boston or Albany, New York; if you’re driving east or west on I-91, you’ll pass through Marlborough en route to points like Hartford or Albany.
Marlborough is bordered to the west by the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the north by Richmond County and Pittsylvania County, to the east by Amelia County and Prince Edward County, and to the south by Dinwiddie County.
The county’s geographic location puts us within easy driving distance of large metropolitan areas such as Richmond and Washington D.C., yet we have a rural lifestyle that many people seek out when relocating here.
Read more articles: How far is Bora Bora from New York?
Keep in mind
Love it or hate it, the Marlborough region of New Zealand is the largest wine producer in the country. Despite its size and recent popularity, the region doesn’t seem to be losing its edge.
In fact, there are some small variances among wineries that have garnered larger and newer markets while still maintaining a relatively uncrowded market. The region as a whole was once considered to be a step behind when it came to making quality wines.
This can probably be attributed to the lack of land mass in the area. However, modern technology has helped this problem become a non-issue for many vineyards. This gives the area an even stronger footing than previously conceived.
The potential of Marlborough as a wine producing region is unrivalled by other regions in New Zealand. This is primarily due to the diverse soil composition and climate variation across the region.
The area is host to some of the oldest vineyards in New Zealand and has a long history of wine production in the region, dating all the way back to 1868.
Marlborough is New Zealand’s premier wine region for a number of reasons, but most importantly because of the geography of the area.
Given the volcanic soil and generally cooler temperatures, there are far more possibilities for what grapes can be grown than many other parts of the country.
The quality of the land in Marlborough has attracted some of the world’s top wine makers to invest in property in the region, which means that people all over the planet enjoy not only our wine, but also our fine produce.
As a renowned food and wine destination, our region gets plenty of attention from all over the globe, giving overseas visitors an opportunity to sample our wonderful wines all year round.
Read more articles: Roadsurfer Barcelona
Rent a Car at Mind-blowing Price Click Here!
Other related articles
- When is the Best Season To Visit Switzerland?
- Backpacking In Colorado (Beginners Guide)
- Mauritius Island Things To Do (Free Travel Guide)
- Best Time To Visit Ticino Switzerland (Travel Guide)
- Best Time To Visit Engelberg Switzerland (Travel Guide)
- Best Travel Trailer for Family (6 in Our Top List)
Joseph Benson
Hi, my name is Joseph Benson, and I am a traveler who is always on the go. I love to try new things and see different places. Never miss an adventure follow me.
