Martinborough, located within the Wairarapa Valley, was the first of New Zealand`s wine regions to establish world class credentials for producing Pinot Noir. It is east of Wellington, surrounded by the Tararua Mountains with vines planted on alluvial gravel river beds with a limestone subsoil. The Wairarapa Valley is cooler and drier than any other North Island wine region, and like Marlborough across the Cook Strait, it is exposed to the cold winds that funnel in from the ocean. Sauvignon is full flavoured and aromatic, Pinot Noir is impressive with great depth and weight. Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah all successfully achieve high quality wines.