20 Mar Rethinking New Zealand Wines: Marisco Family Vineyards Offers Quality, Value, and Elegance

Forget any stereotypes you might have about New Zealand wines, especially about Sauvignon Blanc. Marisco Family Vineyards is proving that elegance, quality, and a true sense of place can be found in every bottle, at a price that makes them even more irresistible. Whether you’re craving a crisp, mineral-driven Sauvignon Blanc, a refined Pinot Noir, or a silky Pinot Gris, these wines deliver an unbeatable quality-to-value ratio. And the best part? Many of these stunning bottles are available for under $20.

A Family Legacy of Innovation

Marisco Family Vineyards is a family-owned winery in the Waihopai Valley of Marlborough, New Zealand. With 2,500 acres of vineyards and two state-of-the-art wineries, they oversee every aspect of the winemaking process, ensuring precision and consistency.

The Marris family’s legacy in Marlborough spans generations. In 1973, John Marris took a bold step by planting the first vineyards in the region, making him a true pioneer in the New Zealand wine industry. His son, Brent Marris, followed in his footsteps, becoming Marlborough’s first locally born and raised qualified winemaker.

After studying winemaking in Australia, Brent made his mark as Chief Winemaker for Delegats, where he launched the iconic Oyster Bay brand. In 1994, with the desire to do his own project, he co-founded Wither Hills with his father. Then, in 2003, he set out to find the perfect vineyard site, a piece of land with what he called “the X factor.” He found it near the banks of the Waihopai River, where he established The Ned brand in 2006.

Named after The Ned Mountain, which symbolizes Brent’s adventurous youth, The Ned label embodies a “young at heart” ethos. In 2012, Brent and his wife Rosemary, acquired Leefield Station, a once historic sheep and beef farm. Brent not only planted vineyards at Leefield Station but also preserved the native bush and restored the farm’s operations, blending history with innovation. In addition to the Waihopai River Vineyard and the Leefield Station Vineyard, the Marris family also owns three other vineyards. The Slopes Vineyard spreads over several slopes on the hills overlooking Brancott Valley. The Ben Morven Vineyard lies at the foot of the Range of the Wither Hills. The Farleigh Vineyard, located in the Wairau Valley, was the vineyard planted by Brent’s father.

The Wines: Elegant, Distinctive, and Affordable

Marisco Family Vineyards, which encompasses wines produced from these five vineyards, crafts wines that beautifully express Marlborough’s rich terroir.

Sauvignon Blanc

When was the last time you had a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc? You might think you know exactly what to expect—bright green flavors, herbal intensity, and perhaps even those infamous cat pee aromas. But it’s time to toss those assumptions aside with these three Marisco Family Vineyards wines.

• Fernlands Sauvignon Blanc 2024 ($11.99) – Fernlands wines are sourced predominantly from the Slopes Vineyard in the Southern Valley. The wine is extremely aromatic, with layers of tropical fruit and citrus. A beautifully textured palate leads to a fresh, lingering finish.
• The Ned Sauvignon Blanc 2024 ($16.99) – A refined take on Sauvignon Blanc, the wine has a rich nose with abundant fruit and elegant acidity.
• Leefield Station Sauvignon Blanc 2024 ($16.99) – Vibrant citrus and green herbal notes lead to a palate bursting with grapefruit, lime, and a hint of salinity.

Pinot Gris

• The Ned Pinot Gris 2024 ($16.99) – A silky, textured palate with stone fruit, citrus, and rose water aromas is balanced by crisp, refreshing acidity.

Pinot Noir

• The Ned Pinot Noir 2022 ($19.99) – Lush aromas of ripe berries, dark cherry, and violets lead to a smooth, silky finish.
• Leefield Station Pinot Noir 2023 ($19.99) – The wine offers aromas of wild strawberry, red plum, and pomegranate, complemented by notes of dried herbs and mocha.

With an unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability, and terroir-driven winemaking, Marisco Family Vineyards produces elegant, expressive wines that defy expectations.