Top 5 Most Expensive Marlborough Wine
Marlborough wine has charmed casual drinkers worldwide with its zesty Sauvignon Blanc and bright flavors. Yet beyond the everyday bottles, Marlborough also produces some premium wine gems that come with hefty price tags. In this post, we’ll explore the top 5 most expensive Marlborough wine selections available – exclusive bottles of New Zealand wine that offer a taste of luxury.
Each of these wines is produced in Marlborough’s famed vineyards and showcases what the region can achieve at the high end. Short sentences and clear facts will make it easy for any wine lover to follow along. Let’s uncork Marlborough’s priciest treasures!
Marlborough Wine Meets Luxury: 5 Premium Bottles to Know
1. Seresin “Sun & Moon” Pinot Noir – Organic Excellence in Marlborough
The Seresin Sun & Moon Pinot Noir is a shining example of Marlborough’s premium Pinot Noir. Made only in exceptional vintages from the finest parcels, this premium wine is both certified organic and biodynamic . It’s often regarded among the top-rated wines from Marlborough .
With an average price around €80 per bottle, it’s also one of the region’s most expensive Pinot Noirs . Despite the cost, casual drinkers seeking a special treat will find a complex red wine with layers of dark cherry, plum, and earthy spice. Production is very limited, making this Marlborough Pinot a rare find. If you’re used to an affordable Marlborough Pinot Noir like the everyday Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir, tasting Seresin’s Sun & Moon is a whole new level of elegance and depth.
2. Hans Herzog Montepulciano – Italian Grape, Marlborough Terroir
Marlborough isn’t just about Sauvignon Blanc – the boutique Hans Herzog Estate proves it by growing unconventional grapes like Montepulciano and Nebbiolo. Hans Herzog’s Montepulciano is a bold red that marries Italian heritage with Marlborough’s terroir. With prices around €65 per bottle, it ranks among the priciest in the region .
This Marlborough wine is produced in tiny quantities at the family-run estate, known for its hands-on, organic approach. The result is a rich, robust red with dark berry and herbal notes, plus the structure to age gracefully. Wine enthusiasts laud Herzog’s wines for their craftsmanship – the estate’s rare Nebbiolo (another Italian grape) also fetches a similar premium price .
For a casual drinker, trying this Montepulciano is a unique wine tasting adventure, showcasing Marlborough’s diversity beyond the usual varieties. It’s a reminder that New Zealand wine can surprise you with unexpected styles in the premium segment.
3. Brancott Estate “Chosen Rows” Sauvignon Blanc – Iconic and Rare
Sauvignon Blanc put Marlborough on the global wine map, and Brancott Estate Chosen Rows Sauvignon Blanc takes it to luxurious heights. Released as a limited “icon” edition, Chosen Rows was created to be the best (and most expensive) Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc on the market . It’s crafted from select old vines in Brancott Vineyard and fermented with wild yeasts in oak barrels, deviating from the typical Marlborough style. This attention to detail comes at a price of about €60–€70 per bottle. What do you get for that cost?
A complex premium wine layered with flavors of ripe tropical fruit, nutty oak, and a creamy texture seldom seen in standard Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc. According to Brancott’s winemaker, it’s the “ultimate expression of Marlborough’s signature varietal” . Casual wine lovers who primarily know the crisp, refreshing Marlborough whites will be amazed by the depth of this special bottle. It’s a splurge-worthy Sauvignon perfect for a wine tasting night or celebratory occasion.
4. Villa Maria “The Attorney” Pinot Noir – Single-Vineyard Luxury
Villa Maria is a familiar name to many wine fans, but The Attorney Pinot Noir is far from your average bottling. This is a single-vineyard, limited release Pinot Noir from the Southern Valleys of Marlborough, showcasing the region’s potential for premium wine in the Pinot category. The name might sound quirky, but it refers to the vineyard site nickname. Priced around €60 per bottle, The Attorney commands roughly four times the price of Villa Maria’s regular Private Bin Pinot.
Critics have awarded it high scores (around 93/100 points) for its concentration and finesse. In the glass, expect an elegant mix of red cherry, floral notes, and silky tannins – a true Marlborough Pinot Noir but with extra intensity. For casual drinkers used to simpler Pinots, this wine demonstrates how Marlborough can deliver complexity on par with more famous Pinot regions. It’s a collector’s Pinot Noir that still carries the approachable fruit character New Zealand wine is loved for.
5. Cloudy Bay “Te Koko” Sauvignon Blanc – A Marlborough Icon Reimagined
No list of Marlborough’s top wines would be complete without Cloudy Bay, the winery that made the world fall in love with New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Te Koko is Cloudy Bay’s ultra-premium Sauvignon Blanc, an oak-aged, wild-ferment rendition of the region’s classic grape. While the standard Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is a staple on many tables, Te Koko is produced in smaller quantities and aimed at connoisseurs.
It undergoes fermentation in French oak with indigenous yeasts and aging on lees, resulting in a layered, textural white wine. The price for Te Koko sits around €55 (roughly $65) per bottle .
That investment brings you a very different Marlborough wine experience: you’ll taste notes of ripe peach, toasted nuts, and a subtle creamy vanilla alongside the familiar citrus and gooseberry. It’s refined and complex, showing the versatility of Marlborough’s fruit. Even though Te Koko is luxurious, it remains accessible to casual enthusiasts who want to see what a premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc tastes like. (Fun fact: Te Koko’s price is less than half that of the Chosen Rows above, yet it’s still considered expensive for a Sauvignon Blanc !)
Savoring Marlborough Wine as a Casual Drinker
Exploring these high-end bottles can elevate your appreciation for Marlborough. If you’re a casual drinker, you don’t have to rush into buying the costliest vintages – consider attending a wine tasting event or splitting a bottle with wine-loving friends to make it more affordable. Remember that Marlborough’s charm shines at all price points. Even an everyday bottle from this region carries the signature vibrancy that made New Zealand wine famous.
The five wines above represent the pinnacle of Marlborough’s offerings, but they also highlight the region’s range: from crisp Sauvignon Blanc to elegant Pinot Noir. If this overview has piqued your interest, feel free to explore more Marlborough selections (for instance, a well-regarded Marlborough Pinot Noir or Chardonnay) available at Garrafeira da Ilha. You might find that your next favorite Marlborough wine doesn’t have to be the most expensive – but it’s fun to know what the premium side of this region has to offer for a special occasion. Cheers to discovering new wines and enjoying the journey!
