Martinborough, at the southern tip of the North Island, is small in area but outsized in reputation, thanks largely to a handful of pioneering producers who established it as a serious Pinot Noir region in the 1980s. Free-draining, ancient gravel terraces and a dry, wind-exposed climate keep yields naturally low and concentrate flavour, producing Pinot Noir with real structure and ageing potential.

Key grapes: Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay