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The unique and varied geography of New Zealand helps to insulate our vineyards and protect the grapes from the elements. With grapes grown between the latitudes of 34º and 47º, our growing regions cover a distance of 1,000 miles from the northern tip of the country to the southern coast. Such a large growing area gives Kim Crawford the distinct advantage of a wide range of local climates and soil types to promote distinctive regional flavors and characteristics.

The vineyards of Kim Crawford are located in outstanding, predominantly coastal sites. The grapes benefit from long days, clean sea breezes and crisp nights. In combination with New Zealand’s long and dry autumn season, our grapes ripen slowly, which allows them to build flavor intensity as well as develop a sophisticated acidity. In the end, it is this unique combination of factors–from regions and soils, to temperatures and growth rates–that give Kim Crawford a perfect balance of fruit and acidity. This ideal pairing of elements makes Kim Crawford more than just the perfect wine to compliment foods and occasions–it makes it the perfect wine to compliment one of the most stunning regions the world has ever known.

Wine Region
Marlborough
Wine Region
Marlborough

It was Marlborough that broke the Kim Crawford virtual spell for the new millennium when the founders rented a state of the art winery and purchased vineyards in Marlborough’s cool Waihopai Valley in 2000. Why Marlborough? - “No other region in the world can match Marlborough, the northeastern corner of New Zealand’s South Island, which seems to be the best place in the world to grow Sauvignon Blanc grapes.” - George M. Taber, noted American wine critic.

The region, situated at 41º latitude south on the north end of the South Island, is one of New Zealand’s sunniest and driest regions. The average daily temperature in summer reaches nearly 24ºC or 75ºF resulting in a high heat summation for the growing season.

During the daytime, strong and warm nor’west winds from the mountains prevail, encouraging flower fertility and ripening. In the evenings, the temperature shifts. Clear cool nights from ocean breezes keep acid levels high in the grapes. This diurnal shift is one of the critical components contributing to the intensity of our Marlborough wines.

Seven distinct sub-regions make up Marlborough, and the differences among them hold the key to blending intense and complex Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Wine Region
Hawke's Bay
Wine Region
Hawke's Bay

Hawke’s Bay is in the North Island of New Zealand and is the country’s oldest wine region, dating back to 1851. Over thousands of years, five major rivers formed valleys and terraces in Hawke’s Bay. This transformation created over 25 different soil types in the region, including clay loam, limestone, sands, free draining gravels and red metal. Warm, north-facing hillsides, river valleys and terraces, and coastal areas provide a range of low vigor vineyard sites suitable for a diversity of varieties.

With a climate similar to Bordeaux, Hawke’s Bay is known for producing New Zealand’s finest Chardonnay that is cool-climate and elegant in style. With refreshing acidity, these wines balance terrific fruit density, precise stone fruit and ripe citrus characters, and mealy, nutty complexity.

How we create wine with Exceptional Style