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In 1978 a DSIR report was published that analysed which areas in New Zealand were best suited for the production of high quality wines from classical grape varieties. Based on available data at the time, the report concluded that the closest New Zealand climatic analog to Burgundy was to be found in the small rain shadow centred on the township of Martinborough in the southern Wairarapa. This resulted in the establishment of Martinborough Vineyard in 1980.
The free draining soils, hot summers and reliable long dry autumn suggested that the area was ideally suited to Burgundian style wines especially Pinot Noir. One of the authors of the report, Dr Derek Milne, was so convinced of the validity of their conclusions that, together with a group of 5 other enthusiasts, bought 16 acres in the zone and started Martinborough Vineyard.
The original vineyard was planted in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer grapes. "The plan was to plant a small area and prove that great wine could be made in the district" says Duncan Milne, brother of Derek who, together with his wife Claire Campbell, are both shareholders in Martinborough Vineyard.
"The trouble was, no one told us how compelling the hunt for a great Pinot Noir can be and here we are, after more than twenty five years more deeply involved than ever before!"
Derek Milne chose the original site and then searched throughout New Zealand to locate and acquire the first valuable cuttings. The first vines were planted by Russell Schultz and Derek Milne in 1980. Russell and Sue Schultz, who had also been searching for suitable land themselves, joined forces with Derek as foundation shareholders and directors of Martinborough Vineyard. Duncan Milne and Claire Campbell returned from Sydney to manage the vineyard from 1983 to 1987.
There followed an era of total shareholder involvement with Russell Schultz making the wine whilst the other families, grandparents to grandchildren, pitched in to help plant, pick and prune. The first commercial vintage occurred in 1984. After the 1985 vintage Russell Schultz realised he had to either commit to full time winemaking or stay with his first career as a pharmacist. "The problem" he says "is that the more you learn, the less you know. If I had chosen winemaking I would have had to go back to school. I reluctantly relinquished my dream and decided to remain a pharmacist". The directors then went out to look for a full time winemaker (the first to be employed in Martinborough). They approached Larry McKenna, a winemaker at Delegats, in Auckland. Larry, an Australian, says, "what impressed me about these people was their commitment to produce only the very finest wines". Larry's first vintage was 1986 and he took over as Chief Executive Officer from Duncan Milne in 1987.
So began a passionate search for the finest New World Pinot Noir that was to continue to the present day. Almost immediately it became apparent that the Martinborough appellation was capable of producing not just good wine but great wine. Under Larry's expert guidance gold medals started tumbling through the door. Not only for the now famous Pinot Noir, but also for every other variety that was lovingly placed in a bottle. The list of awards is too great to mention here, all of the Martinborough Vineyard varieties have won gold medals here and internationally. One of the crowning glories to date has been the award of the Bouchard Finlayson Trophy for "The Best Pinot Noir Worldwide" at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Challenge in London in 1997. |
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