Bold courage and pioneering spirit
The weathered and wild Cape Palliser (or Mātakitaki-a-Kupe) is the southernmost point of the North Island, located on the remote Wairarapa coast. It’s where the Ruamahanga River, the lifeblood of our vineyard land, meets the sea, and from where our weather patterns unfurl. From Kupe to Cook, Palliser Bay has long been revered by explorers and pioneers seeking out a new world. Our name reflects the bold courage and pioneering spirit of those explorers; the connection between people, and the land, river, and sea of our Martinborough home; and the wild weather that challenges us to craft wines and experiences of exceptional quality.
For over 30 years, Palliser has connected people through our crafted wines that speak of site, season, and soul, reflecting the cool climate of Martinborough. We focus on Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, still and sparkling, organic and on their way to being organic. Palliser has been sustainably producing wine from the beginning because it was the right thing to do. Now, under the leadership of Winemaker and Viticulturist Guy McMaster, three of our six vineyards are BioGro certified organic, with the remainder on track to be certified by 2025. In 2023, we released our first BioGro certified organic wines from the 2022 vintage – our Single Vineyard Hua Nui Pinot Noir and Single Vineyard Om Santi Chardonnay.
Proudly 100% NZ owned
Pinot Noir represents 51% of our Palliser vines, although it accounts for just 36% of our total volume of wine. Our yield is low but quality high – just the way we like it. Our Pinot Noir grapes also produce our Estate Rosé and go into our two Méthode Traditionnelle wines.
Palliser has sustainably produced wine since the beginning. Because it’s the right thing to do—for our land, our people, our community, and our wines. We have a 100% commitment to organics and sustainability. Four of our six vineyards are BioGro Certified Organic, and we are on track to have 100% of our vineyards certified BioGro Organic by 2025. We annually harvest seaweed (with local iwi approval) from Palliser Bay, our namesake, which is chopped, fermented, then sprayed over the vines. It’s a natural, organic fertilizer full of minerals and nutrients.
Kaitiakitanga, the Māori worldview concept of guardianship and protection of earth, water, and sky, was the catalyst for Palliser becoming one of the first wineries in the world to be ISO 14001 accredited in the early '90s, and the first winery in NZ to become part of the Carbon Zero programme in 2007. We were also a founding member of the NZ Winegrowers sustainability programme.
Our Cellar Door and restaurant operation, as a local hospitality provider and destination of interest, is open seven days a week, giving visitors the opportunity to sample our regional offerings.
We are proudly 100% NZ owned and vigilant supporters of numerous local community events.
