Winemakers, cartographers join forces to elevate wine region

MATT BROWN matt@topsouthmedia.co.nz

From the dry, windswept Awatere hills to the rich, free draining loam along the banks of the mighty Wairau River, grapes thrive.

Vineyards have sprung up in nearly every area of the Marlborough region, but the wildly diverse soils and micro-climates mean wildly different results.

Now, for the first time, a new map is out that classifies the identity of the region’s wine growing area. Launched last week by Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW), the map is the culmination of two years of work and wine-fueled debate.

AMW chair John Buchanan says it has been fifty years since the first commercial vineyards were planted in Marlborough, with vines now occupying around 30,000 hectares.

“Naturally, subregions with distinct microclimates and stylistic features have been identified over this time,” he says.

“And the Wine Map of Marlborough represents the first genuine attempt to map these in a detailed way.”

Developed in consultation with Wellington based cartographer Roger Smith of Geographx and local designer Megan Boreham of Eye Catcher Designs, the map is unique.

The project was driven by the Marlborough Wine Map Collective (MWMC), a team of five AMW members including Simon Waghorn of Astrolabe, Matt Thomson and Sophie Parker-Thomson MW of Blank Canvas, Ivan Sutherland of Dog Point, Brian Bicknell of Mahi and Brendan Neylon of Rapaura Springs.

“We robustly debated and defined the current subregional hierarchy of Marlborough,” says Matt.

“The vision is that wine enthusiasts will be able to use the map to pinpoint the subregional style they desire…”

“We look forward to making it available to a wider audience, including industry colleagues, wine educators, and engaged consumers.”

Co-owners of Blank Canvas, who championed the development of the wine map, say that Marlborough winemakers have been talking about subregional identity for a long time.