Vintage 2026

The 2026 season saw a warm Spring followed by settled conditions through to harvest. This resulted in clean, ripe fruit with great natural acidity and classic varietal character. Beyond seasonal conditions, the success of any vintage reflects the experience and collaboration of our viticulture, winemaking and operations teams. The exceptional quality of the 2026 wines is a testament not only to an outstanding season, but also to the commitment of an exceptional team.

An exceptionally warm spring advanced the 2026 growing season, resulting in healthy, well balanced crop yields. March delivered optimal harvest conditions, with dry weather, clear days slightly cooler than average, and consistently cool nights. These factors produced ripe fruit with aromatic intensity, vibrant acidity and freshness – hallmarks of Marlborough’s finest vintages.

Season Standouts

Harvested at optimal ripeness, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir all look exceptional. The diversity of Sauvignon Blanc expressions across Marlborough’s subregions provides the colour for a range of distinctive wines, each with a strong sense of place. The 2026 Marlborough harvest is shaping up to deliver truly remarkable wines, highlighting the benefits of cool climate viticulture.

Gisborne experienced a very warm Spring, well above the long-term average. This supported strong vine growth, even flowering and good yields. Continued warm conditions led to our earliest ever harvest start in February, with intake compressed into a three-week period.

Season Standouts

Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay performed particularly well, delivering the generous ripe tropical fruit flavours for which Gisborne is known.

Warm, dry conditions through spring and early summer resulted in even fruit set, healthy yields and accelerated ripening across the region. Leading into harvest, temperatures hovered around the long-term average, before dipping below once harvest commenced in mid-February. Sugar accumulation and flavour development were well synchronised across all varieties.

Season Standouts

Chardonnay across all tiers is outstanding in 2026, showing exceptional flavour and vibrant acidity. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris from the cooler, inland area of Central Hawkes Bay also stood out for their clean, expressive fruit. The highlight of the vintage is arguably the red varietals, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon displaying deep colour, complex ripe flavours and significant promise even at this early stage.