Escarpment

Founded in 1999 by Larry and Sue McKenna alongside Robert and Mem Kirby, Escarpment Vineyard grew out of a shared passion for Pinot Noir between the four founding directors. The 24-hectare estate sits just five kilometres east of Martinborough village, on distinctive alluvial gravel terraces along the banks of the Huangarua River, overlooked by the Aorangi Ranges.

Today the winery is led by winemaker Tim Bourne and viticulturist Rowan Hoskins, who craft Martinborough Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris entirely from estate fruit grown on the region's fabled alluvial gravels. Bourne took full charge of winemaking from the 2023 vintage, having worked alongside founding winemaker Larry McKenna, who started the 2022 before handing over. The flagship Kupe Pinot Noir continues to draw acclaim, with the 2023 scoring highly from multiple critics - a wine widely regarded as central to New Zealand Pinot Noir's story.