Martinborough, at the southern tip of New Zealand's North Island, pioneered fine Pinot Noir in New Zealand and remains one of the country's most distinctive wine terroirs. The Martinborough Terrace — a raised gravel terrace from the ancient Ruamahanga River — provides exceptional free-draining conditions, and the region's dry, continental climate (rare for NZ) concentrates flavours and intensifies colour. Ata Rangi, Dry River, and Palliser Estate have produced Pinot Noir of international reference quality since the 1980s.
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | Exceptional vintage widely regarded as the finest in recent Martinborough history. |
| 2022 | — | Good ripeness; more accessible style of Pinot Noir with soft tannins and generous fruit. |
| 2021 | — | Outstanding North Island vintage — Pinot of extraordinary complexity and structure. |
| 2020 | — | Fine conditions; Martinborough Pinot showing typical elegance with good concentration. |
| 2019 | — | A benchmark Martinborough vintage — Pinot Noir of unusual depth and freshness. |