"Marlborough" a Marlborough Travel Page by kris-t

The greens, blues and golds of Marlborough's landscape reflect the profound pleasures to be found in the wine capital of New Zealand.

With 40% of the nation's vineyards and an international reputation for it's dazzling cool-climate Sauvignon Blancs and other rising stars- including Pinot Noir and Riesling - the province is becoming a magnet to wine lovers, tourists and investors.

The largest area of wine activity is the Wairau Valley, a broad plain edged by the dark, blue Richmond Ranges to the North and the tawny flanks of the Wither Hills in the South. Rows of grapevines march across the landscape here as well as in the neighbouring Awatere Valley where the snow capped Mt Tapue-o-nuku stands sentinel.

The fertile alluvial soils which make Marlborough wines so special and also grow cherries, garlic, olives and other prime produce, were deposited by the Wairau and Awatere Rivers which continue to provide much needed irrigation. From the mountains, the Wairau weaves across the plains while the Awatere has cut deeply into soft papa rock as it flows to the East Coast where Pacific waves pound the rocky shoreline.

The region basks in more than 2400 sunshine hours per annum. Awash with sun and a wonderful quality of light, the mellow landscape encourages a relaxed and deeply satisfying lifestyle.