Escarpment

The Prince of New Zealand Pinot Noir

Escarpment, defined as a long, steep slope that lies at the end of a plateau, is the unique place within Martinborough. Big open skies stretch across the Wairarapa, ‘glistening waters’ in te reo Māori, and the ancient alluvial soils run deep beneath the land, there is natural balance here. Primarily located in the Martinborough district of the Wairarapa region on the North Island, the region is named after the Martinborough Terrace, a raised gravelly plateau formed by ancient riverbeds, which provides excellent conditions for viticulture. The region has a cool, dry climate with significant diurnal temperature variations (warm days and cool nights), ideal for slow, even ripening of grapes. Free-draining, gravelly soils (similar to parts of Bordeaux) also help produce concentrated, structured wines.