A season to remember at Wairau River
EXCEPTIONAL GROWING CONDITIONS
A cool, wet winter set the vineyards up with strong soil moisture reserves, followed by a frost-free spring that provided ideal conditions for budburst and early canopy development. As the season progressed, warm and settled weather throughout flowering and fruit set, resulting in outstanding vine balance and a welcome return to more normal crop levels across all varieties. The above average temperatures from September onwards meant that flowering was around a week to ten days earlier than normal, with this early start maintained throughout the season.
“The 2026 Marlborough vintage will be remembered as one of those rare seasons where every stage of the growing season was nearly perfect, ideal conditions throughout and zero disease pressure made life in the vineyard almost easy.”
Hamish Rose – Viticulturalist
Summer ripening was once again shaped by the long, hot, windy days that Marlborough is renowned for, conditions that help reduce disease pressure, keep fruit clean, and concentrate flavour and aroma in the berries. Timely rainfall during January refreshed the vines at just the right moment, while the cooler, more measured conditions toward the end of summer slowed ripening, allowing the fruit to build complexity while retaining natural acidity and vibrancy.
“Our established blocks once again showed their depth, concentration and unmistakable sense of place, while our newer plantings brought vibrancy, energy and a fresh spectrum of flavour to the blends.”
A SEAMLESS HARVEST
Harvesting began early with Pinot noir for Rosé picked on the 3rd of March, followed Pinot noir for red wine and Chardonnay around a week later. From there, the remaining varieties followed steadily over the next three weeks, with the settled conditions allowing our harvesting and winery teams to work at a nice tempo without the need to rush or stress.
“The strength of the 2026 harvest was not just in the fruit quality, but in the way the season gave us the freedom to slow down our picking schedule to allow all blocks to reach optimum ripeness. With no major weather pressure forcing our hand, our team was able to taste, assess and pick each parcel at exactly the right time.”
There was just one short rainfall event at the end of March, which briefly paused operations for a couple of days while the vineyards dried out. The conditions quickly returned to form, and the final machine picked parcels were harvested on the 31st of March. The last fruit of the season, Botrytis Riesling, was picked on the 23rd of April, bringing an incredible vintage to a fitting close.
“Vintage is always the time where vineyard and winery teams become one, and 2026 was a true reflection of that. From the meticulous selection by our hand pickers, the hard work and long hours put in by the vineyard machinery operators and transport teams, and ultimately to the receival and winery crew who processed the fruit efficiently, everything felt seamless.”
OUTSTANDING WINES
Early impressions are that the 2026 wines showcase all the hallmarks of an outstanding Marlborough vintage. Sauvignon blanc is once again a standout, with intense tropical and stone fruit aromatics paired with fine citrus minerality. Pinot gris has an amazing level of fruit concentration, with generous palate weight and aromatic richness. Rosé and Pinot noir both capture the brightness, elegance and purity of the vintage, with Chardonnay and the aromatics some of the best examples we have seen in recent vintages. .
“What makes 2026 especially exciting is the balance between concentration and freshness. The wines are powerful and expressive yet still maintain a sense of precision and elegance. There is a generosity only found in the very best vintages, something that will make these wines very compellings.”
The extended growing season was also favourable for Syrah ripening, with huge potential from this variety as it heads into a period of extended barrel ageing. Equally outstanding conditions for ‘noble rot’ development have produced a rich and concentrated Botrytis Riesling, something to look forward to and a fitting final ferment to close out the vintage.
“The 2026 vintage wines from Wairau River Wines are not to be missed. Exceptional quality, crafted by a dedicated team, and shaped by one of the best seasons we’ve ever had. A true reflection of Marlborough at its best.”
