Wine TimelineThe decision made by Montana in 1973 to plant wine grapes in Marlborough was the most visionary and vital one made in the short history of the New Zealand Wine Industry. It wasn’t an easy road to success, but led by science, our enviable natural environment, and a brave small community who got together and got things done, Marlborough put New Zealand wine on the world map.
Marlborough has quickly grown to be New Zealand’s largest producer and has grown at an outstanding rate, growing from 6,831 hectares in 2002 to 22,819 in 2013. Today, almost 30,000ha of vines (around 2/3 of the national total) are under the care of local wine producers, making it the country's largest wine region.
Coincidentally, 2023 also marks 150 years since Marlborough’s first vineyard of Muscat was planted at Auntsfield by Scotsman David Herd in 1873. These vines were pulled out in 1931 and no others were recorded in the region until 1973.
Hans Herzog
1994
Therese & Hans Herzog, Vigneron from Switzerland planted roots along the banks of the Wairau River. Vines were planted in 1996 pioneering with some alternative varieties not seen in the South Island and maybe just one more in the North Island: Pinot Gris, Viognier, Montepulciano plus known varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
IWSC
1990
Montana reveives the Marquis de Gourlaine Trophy for best sauvignon blanc in the world at the 21st International Wine and Spirit Competition in London.
Wirecare clip
1990s
Developed and manufactured in Blenheim. Plastic clips that are designed to hold wires for the vine canopy. They were developed by Rex Brooke-Taylor, owner of the local company, Wirecare. Previously wires were held up by nails but these wore both the wire and nail.
Education Vineyard
1991
NIMT vineyards established to support their education programme.
Wine Marlborough Ltd
1992
Formed as the trading company for Marlborough Winegrowers Association.
Corbans
1993
Alan McCorkindale, winemaker, wins five national trophies at the Air New Zealand Wine show for Corbans Marlborough wines.
Taylors Engineering
1990s
Geoff Taylor designed and manufactured some of the region's earliest wine tanks for Montana and many of the pioneering wine companies. By the 1990s, with the wine industry well and truly established, he began to develop other products including the tipping bin and wine tank.
Bill Walsh
1992
Bill Walsh becomes the first life member of the Marlborough Grapegrowers Association. He was a founding member and former president.
No .1 Family Estate
1997
Pioneers of Méthode Traditionelle in New Zealand for 40 years, Adele and Daniel Le Brun launched No.1 Family Estate, their family-owned winery, in July 1997.
Rootstock
1993
Ormond Nursery get permission set up a root stock venture at the Research Centre.