Handcrafted Excellence in Wine
CORE MESSAGE
Established in 1980, Martinborough Vineyard is an icon in New
Zealand winemaking history. The first to plant Pinot Noir
grapes in the famed growing region, today Martinborough
Vineyard is home to the oldest Pinot Noir vines in the district.
Martinborough Vineyard produces the finest Pinot Noir in the
New World with a focus on “Handcrafted Excellence in Wine.”
OVERVIEW
• Established in 1980 by Russell
Schultz and a small group of
investors
• Strong historical links with the
brand and region
– First to plant Pinot Noir in
Martinborough
– Oldest Pinot Noir vines in the
district
• Hand-tended vines
• Focus on high-end Pinot Noir
LOCATION
• New Zealand
• Southern end of North Island
• Martinborough
• 42° South – similar distance to
Burgundy from equator
MARTINBOROUGH
• Produces around 1% of New Zealand’s
total wine volume
•
50% Pinot Noir/35% Sauvignon Blanc
•
Balance is Chardonnay, Pinot Gris,
Riesling & Syrah
• Warm days and cool nights; low rainfall
• Long ripening season
• Cool, breezy springs mean natural low
yields and more intense flavours
• Mild summers – temperatures rarely
above 30°C (86° F)
• Dry autumns with cool night
temperatures - great harvest conditions
VINEYARD OVERVIEW
• All located within the
Martinborough appellation
• First planted in 1980
• Oldest Pinot Vines in
Martinborough
• Free draining structure
• Low-cropped and hand-tended
• Approx. 300 tonnes of fruit
processed annually
• Sustainable farming
SOIL PROFILE
• Developed over 20,000 years by
the flow of the Ruamahanga
River
• Alluvial river terraces
• Silty loam
• Variety of top soils
• Free draining - irrigation
essential
• Low yields create greater flavour
intensity
WINEMAKING
• Paul Mason, Winemaker
• Winemaker for Burnt Spur since 2004 and
Martinborough Vineyard since 2007
• New Zealand native
• Vintages in France, Italy, Chile, Australia, and
the U.S.
• Gentle Winemaking Techniques
• Exclusive use of French oak barrels
• Hand picking and sorting
WINERY
SUSTAINABILITY
• Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand certified
• Regular soil and vine testing
• Inter-row cover crops
• Applications of compost and compost teas derived
from winery and vineyard waste
• Vine monitoring for ecosystems services and disease
pressure to explore soft/biological alternatives
• Natural lawn mowing (sheep)
• Reduced need for pesticides, fungicides and
herbicides ending in the final elimination of their
use
PINOT NOIR
• Martinborough Vineyard Pinot Noir
• Red and dark fruits, spice, rich and weighty
• French Barrel Aged, 12 months
SALES STRATEGY
• Focus on the historical importance – first
winery in Martinborough to plant Pinot
Noir & oldest Pinot vines in the district
• Educate on how the climate and soil of
Martinborough contributes to growing great
Pinot Noir
• Highlight artisan winemaking techniques
such as handpicking and hand sorting
• Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand
certified
• Discuss sustainability certification and
practices
SUMMARY
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pioneering Martinborough winery
Established in 1980
Strong historical links with the region
First to plant Pinot Noir in Martinborough
Oldest Pinot Noir vines in the region
Hand-tended vineyards
Focus on high-end Pinot Noirs
Mild climate
Free draining soils
Sustainable farming
Paul Mason, Winemaker
THANK YOU