History of Escarpment Estate
Founded in 1999 by Larry McKenna, a pioneering figure in New Zealand’s wine industry, Escarpment quickly gained recognition for its world-class wines, particularly its Pinot Noir. Larry McKenna, originally from Australia, was instrumental in establishing Martinborough as a premium Pinot Noir region. Often referred to as the "Prince of Pinot," McKenna's vision was to create wines that reflect Martinborough's distinctive terroir while employing traditional Burgundian techniques.
Escarpment was established on Te Muna Road, a prime location within Martinborough known for its alluvial soils and cool-climate conditions. The estate's approach to winemaking has always emphasized minimal intervention, allowing the vineyard to speak through the wines, while focusing on sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.
Over the years, Escarpment has become one of New Zealand’s top Pinot Noir producers, with its wines gaining international acclaim. The estate produces a range of single-vineyard Pinot Noirs, including Te Rehua, Kiwa, and Kupe, each named after significant Maori legends, reflecting Escarpment’s connection to the land and its cultural heritage.
Region and Vineyards
Escarpment is located in the Martinborough wine region, situated at the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island. Martinborough is renowned for its ability to produce cool-climate wines, particularly Pinot Noir, due to its unique combination of alluvial soils, long sunshine hours, and cooling winds from the nearby ocean.
The estate’s vineyards, including its home block on Te Muna Road, are planted on the Martinborough Terrace, where the deep, free-draining gravel soils allow for excellent vine health and concentration of flavors in the grapes. These soils, combined with the cool nights and warm days, give the wines their characteristic freshness, minerality, and elegance.
Escarpment’s commitment to sustainable viticulture is evident in its farming practices, which focus on preserving the health of the land for future generations. The estate also follows a philosophy of low intervention in the winery, ensuring that the wines are a true expression of their terroir.
Wine Range
Escarpment is best known for its Pinot Noir wines, particularly its single-vineyard expressions, which highlight the unique qualities of specific vineyard sites. The estate’s flagship Pinot Noir, Kupe, is named after the legendary Polynesian explorer and showcases the finest fruit from the estate’s oldest vines. Other notable single-vineyard wines include Te Rehua and Kiwa, each offering distinct flavors and structures reflective of their unique sites.
In addition to its renowned Pinot Noirs, Escarpment also produces exceptional Chardonnay, which is noted for its balance of rich fruit flavors and flinty minerality, as well as Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Syrah. The winemaking approach remains consistent across all varieties: using indigenous yeasts, whole-bunch fermentation, and long barrel aging to enhance complexity and texture.
Did you know?
Escarpment’s founder, Larry McKenna, is often referred to as the “Prince of Pinot” due to his significant contributions to the New Zealand wine industry, particularly in elevating Martinborough as one of the world’s great Pinot Noir regions. His dedication to Pinot Noir has helped Escarpment become a benchmark producer for this variety in the Southern Hemisphere.
