Brent Marris, Emma Marris and The Ned, tasting wines from one of Marlborough’s (NZ) emerging dynasties
The Marris dynasty are an important part of Marlborough’s past, present, and surely future. John Marris was the land agent that Frank Yukich of (then) Montana used when he swooped in and bought some 500 hectares of lousy farmland in Marlborough, which was then not a wine region, back in 1973. It’s a remarkable story, and one I’d love to write up in more detail. The genius was that he did a lot all at once, rather than trialling a bit of land with a vineyard, then coming back for more: if farmers got hint that New Zealand’s biggest wine country thought their land was special, the price would have gone up. It turns out that John didn’t make much money despite working on a very big deal.
Brent, his son (pictured above), made his fame through working at Delgats, starting back in 1985 and launching Oyster Bay, one of Marlborough’s most successful wine brands. Then he established Wither Hills with his father, which they then sold to Lion Nathan. I first met him when he was the Wither Hills boss, along with his winemaker Ben Glover, back in 2006 (here). Fast forward 20 years and he now has an amazing property in the Waihopai Valley called Leefield Station (650 hectares of vines). From here he makes a wide range of wines, and also has a few other smaller vineyards. The Ned is the more commercial end, but here we tried the fancy end of the range, and they are excellent. The overarching brand is Marisco Vineyards.
Emma is Brent’s daughter, and now an established winemaker. She’s doing some wines under her name here, and, again, they are looking to play at a higher level. They succeed.
I tasted these wines with Brent at Wine Paris in February 2026.
Emma Marris
Emma Marris Sauvignon Blanc 2025 Marlborough, New Zealand
This is made with juice stabulation before fermentation. Lovely aromatics, with some floral character and a touch of passionfruit, leading to a palate that’s juicy, complex and nicely textured. Stylish. 93/100
Emma Marris Chardonnay 2024 Marlborough, New Zealand
Hand picked and whole bunch pressed. Lovely mealy edge to the focused citrus and white peach fruit. Good balance with nice density. 93/100
Emma Marris Pinot Noir 2023 Marlborough, New Zealand
Lovely aromatics here, with a nice spicy, slightly peppery edge to the floral cherry fruit. Nice texture on the palate: silky and fine, showing good balance, appropriate structure and nice open fruit. 93/100
The Ned
The Ned 909 Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Marlborough, New Zealand
This is from small parcels at Leefield Station that are a bit stonier. Hand picked before the main harvest, whole bunch pressed into a large wooden oval and amphorae, kept on yeast lees for 3 months. Very fine and expressive with lovely concentration. Stony and mineral with lovely balance and focus, with some brightness and a hint of grapefruit. 94/100
The Ned Skyscraper Sauvignon Blanc 2025 Marlborough, New Zealand
Lovely aromatics here: pure and fine with some passionfruit and just a hint of boxwood. Green notes on the palate with nice texture. Dry and finely structured with good acidity and great balance. 92/100
The Ned Skyscraper Chardonnay 2024 Marlborough, New Zealand
Hand picked, warm ferment in French oak puncheons, 40% malolactic. Very stylish with lovely balance. Citrus, pear and a hint of peach. Nice mealy edge and also some structure. Subtle toastiness. 93/100
The Ned Skyscraper Pinot Noir 2024 Marlborough, New Zealand
20% whole bunch, matured in French oak puncheons, 50% new. Lovely ripe plum and cherry fruit with some berries and a bit of richness. Stylish and poised with nice texture. Very expressive. 93/100
The Ned Skyscraper Syrah 2023 Marlborough, New Zealand
Brent has planted 3 hectares of Syrah at Leefield, on a hotter spot on one of the terraces. Supple and fresh with nice brightness, showing a touch of pepper as well as sleek fruit. Expressive cool climate Syrah. 93/100
