New Zealand Pinot Noir is in a good place! Tasting 27 examples from across the country
These wines were tasted at the new release tasting in London, October 2025. A good selection from across New Zealand
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New Zealand
North Canterbury, New Zealand (10) Pegasus Bay
Back in 1976, Christchurch neurologist Ivan Donaldson had caught the wine bug, and with some of his medical friends planted
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North Canterbury, New Zealand (9) Pyramid Valley
Pyramid Valley is one of New Zealand’s special vineyards. I first came across it on my debut visit to Aotearoa
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Blank Canvas, retelling the Marlborough story through some impressive single-vineyard wines
Website: https://blankcanvaswines.com/ Blank Canvas is the project of well-known Marlborough consultant winemaker Matt Thomson and Sophie Parker-Thomson. Until very recently
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Appellation Marlborough Wine: the 2025 selection of Sauvignon Blanc
Website: https://www.appellationmarlboroughwine.co.nz/ Marlborough became famous because of Sauvignon Blanc, and it is the dominant grape variety planted in the region.
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North Canterbury, New Zealand (8) Greystone
Website: https://www.greystonewines.co.nz/ Greystone are extremely innovative in their approach. I visited with winemaker Dom Maxwell (who since this visit has
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The wines of Corofin, interpreting interesting Marlborough terroirs through the lens of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – updated with 2023 releases
For me, Corofin is one of Marlborough’s (and New Zealand’s) most exciting wine projects. The people behind it are Mike
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North Canterbury, New Zealand (7) Georges Road
Website: http://georgesroadwines.co.nz/ Kirk Bray was in wine class with Paul Pujol (now winegrower at Prophets Rock in Central Otago) at
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North Canterbury, New Zealand (6) Domaine Williams Raillard et B
While I was in North Canterbury I visited a new producer who has yet to release any wines. Next door
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North Canterbury, New Zealand (5) Fernbank
Website: https://www.fernbank.wine/ Helen and Matt Barbour run a viticultural consultancy company (Barbour Vines) as well as some very well situated
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