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
• New Zealand
• Southern end of North
Island
• Martinborough
• 42° South – similar distance
to Burgundy from equator
LOCATION
• 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
MARTINBOROUGH
• 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
VINEYARD OVERVIEW
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
• 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
WINEMAKING
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
• 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
SUMMARY