Wairau River Wines takes its name from the beautiful braided river on whose banks Phil and Chris Rose planted their first vines in 1978. (Wairau is Maori for ‘many waters’).

At the top of New Zealand’s South Island, the river runs through the Wairau Valley in the temperate Marlborough region, which is framed by two ranges of hills. Marlborough’s maritime climate makes for a long growing season, and the land bordering the Wairau River at the foot of the Richmond Ranges enjoys long warm days and cool nights.

The Rose family were pioneers in the now prestigious Rapaura district, their foresight recognising the potential for the region’s free draining stony soil and abundantly pure artesian water. After supplying grapes for other producers for several years, Phil and Chris decided in 1991 to release a wine under their own label and so the Wairau River label was born.

Phil & Chris Rose

With five estate vineyards, Wairau River Wines can maintain total commitment to quality by carefully managing these sites to keep yields low. Family owned and run, Wairau River is one of the largest independent wine estates in Marlborough, and the range of elegant wines is characteristically expressive of its Marlborough roots.