WINES FROM MARTINBOROUGH  :  2009 VINTAGE MEDIA RELEASE

Martinborough vintage takes quinella

A classic Martinborough 2009 vintage is described by winemakers in the premium boutique wine village as “big and beautiful” for the second year running.  

After a string of small vintages, good crops for two years running will make a considerable difference to local wineries.

“We had exactly what we needed”, said Janine Tulloch, Chair of Wines From Martinborough.  “We got the quinella – another good year following on from last year’s excellent vintage, with perfect conditions to ripen and produce quality fruit”.

Winemakers report that the season was near ideal:  settled weather, ensuring superb flowering and fruit set, minimal spring frosts, much needed rain in February and ideal long warm days ripening grapes through March and April.  Harvest was relatively early and went very smoothly.
 “The season gives wineries confidence to sustain their existing domestic and international markets with continuity of supply, and to look for new premium market segments where Martinborough wines are highly valued.

“We are finding our premium boutique wines selling consistently, with the market not slowing down as many commentators have anticipated,” reported Dr Neil McCallum (Dry River Wines) and one of the district’s founding fathers.

Two solid vintages in a row relieves a lot of pressure on many wineries, produced by the “classic Martinborough conditions” of warm dry weather setting and ripening the fruit perfectly.

Martinborough is best known for its flagship Pinot Noir, which brought early international recognition to New Zealand’s smallest wine region.  Martinborough is unique for its diversity, because it produces a wide range of international awards-winning varietals.

For more information contact:

Janine Tulloch, Chair - Wines From Martinborough
Phone 06 306 9955or 029 369 9550

Rachael Fletcher, General Manager - Wines From Martinborough
Phone 06 306 9183 or 021 586 278