Our Vineyard and The Martinborough Terrace

The wine village of Martinborough is located at the foot of the North Island in the Wairarapa region. It is tucked away between the Aorangi ranges and the Tararua ranges. These two ranges have a significant influence on the climate experienced in Martinborough, by providing a rain shelter.

The result is a long dry growing season in spring and summer with moderate day temperatures and cool nights. Martinborough is situated on the old Huangarua river bed which ran through this area some 7000 years ago. Deposited mudstone, quartz and fedspar created argillitic greywacke rocks, mixed in with silt, sand and volcanic ash. The resultant deep stony soil provides excellent drainage and complex clay and mineral components, which significantly impact on our wine style.

The Alana Estate vineyard is located on the North side of the Martinborough Terrace, close to where the Huangarua river currently finds its way to sea. This is believed be the driest location in Martinborough. The 17 hectares of wine growing land includes a bell shaped promontory on the terrace.

Due to the cool dry growing conditions early ripening varieties are well suited to this area. Hence, this side was planted with a wide variety of clones of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and some Riesling. The lower part on the north end of the vineyard has been developed in the last five years. Traditional close density and low trellis planted Pinot Noir dominates this part of the vineyard.