Marcus Pickens on Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and the Region's Future

This show was published Friday, October 23, 2026

Overview

Marlborough has a Sauvignon Blanc success story, but surplus wine and changing demand bring new challenges. Chris Scott speaks to Marcus Pickens of Wine Marlborough about how one of New Zealand's best-known wine regions can protect its success and plan for the future.

Marcus brings 18 years of experience with the region, where Sauvignon Blanc dominates vineyard plantings and wine production. We discuss Marlborough's reliance on its biggest grape variety, the importance of export markets such as the US and UK, and the challenge of matching supply with demand after a surplus harvest. We also look at yield limits, the potential for sparkling wine and low and no-alcohol products, and what diversification could mean for the region.

With grapes left unpicked and producers facing difficult choices, what happens when a hugely successful wine style produces more than the market needs? We explore the decisions Marlborough faces next.

Host: Chris Scott
Guest: Marcus Pickens, Wine Marlborough

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The music used for the UK Wine Show is Griffes de Jingle 1 by Marcel de la Jartèle and Silence by Etoile Noire.