Healthy drinking levels, sustainability and supply chain resilience are hot topics in the wine world right now. With global shipping pressures threatening to have an impact on the flow of European, South African and Australian bottles into New Zealand, it’s no surprise that more of us are turning our attention to what’s made closer to home. Fortunately, local winemakers are delivering some of their most exciting wines yet, across all price points.
This month’s selection highlights five standout bottles that offer a mix of good value for money (in the lower price points), character (across the board) and thoughtful winemaking.
UNDER $30
2024 Johner Riesling ‘Light’ RRP $27
A zesty, lower alcohol Riesling with a fine balance of 8% abv, bold succulent acidity and a fruity sweeter style on the mid palate, making this a lovely late afternoon wine or to enjoy as a lunch time wine. Riesling is ideally suited to lower alcohol styles, thanks to its high acidity, which enables it to work well in an off dry or sweeter style.
OVER $30
2023 Grava Rosado RRP $38
Grava Rosado is a boldly aromatic rosé with a twist. Winemaker Alistair Gardner works in Spain every year so chose the Spanish word ‘rosado’ for his Martinborough rosé and in the 2023 vintage, he brings a cool, freshness to the wine as well as giving it a savoury edge and body from a little oak ageing. This wine is delicious, year-round.
OVER $40
2025 Escarpment Chardonnay RRP $45
Fresh off the bottling line in March this year, the new 2025 Escarpment Martinborough Chardonnay is a vibrant young blend of estate-grown grapes in Te Muna Valley and from growers around the village. All grapes were wholebunch pressed, settled then fermented in French oak puncheons with indigenous yeasts, followed by 11 months in barrel and a low-ish percentage of new oak. This allows the citrusy nature of Chardonnay to shine while retaining a full body and savoury, food-friendly flavours. Lovely now and can age further.
2025 Nga Waka Gamay RRP $45
Inspired by the cru (top) wines of Beaujolais, Nga Waka’s first Gamay (released in March) marks an exciting new chapter for Martinborough reds. Made from fouryearold vines, the grapes were given 15 days on skins under CO2 in a semi-carbonic style and ageing for nine months in older oak. The result is a juicy, aromatic red bursting with cherry, red fruit and subtle spice. Only four barrels were made, but production is set to grow as new plantings come into production.
OVER $100
2020 Big Sky Celestia RRP $122
A batch wine made with 100% wholebunch fermentation and aged for two years in seasoned puncheons. Unfiltered and unfined, Celestia is deeply perfumed, offering aromas of rose petals, black tea, dark berry fruit and smoked savoury notes.
The palate is satiny with fine tannins and impressive concentration. This is a wine for now or to cellar for another three to four years.
