Though New Zealand wine is now a mainstay on U.S. retail shelves, compared to many other countries, its commercial winemaking history is quite young. The first modern vineyard in Marlborough, New Zealand’s best-known region, was planted in the 1970s—just over 50 years ago.
Therefore, few New Zealand wine families can count three generations of winemaking experience in their legacy—but Marisco Vineyards can. After playing a pivotal role in the founding of some of Marlborough’s pioneering wine producers, the Marris family created Marisco Vineyards in the heart of Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley. Today, the family-owned producer is bringing a new era of New Zealand winemaking to the U.S., showcasing the quality and diversity of the region’s wines by placing sustainability first.
The Marris family’s story begins in 1973, at the very beginning of Marlborough’s commercial winemaking journey, when John Marris, who was then the operations manager and viticultural advisor for Montana Wines, planted the region’s first commercial vines. His son, Brent Marris, followed in his footsteps, becoming the founding winemaker for Oyster Bay and bringing global recognition to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
But Brent had another vision for Marlborough wine, one that showcased not just approachability and consistency, but nuance, diversity, and a true sense of place. Inspired by his childhood in Marlborough, Brent founded Marisco Vineyards with The Ned, which captures the energy and flavor of the Waihopai Valley. Nearly 20 years later, the Marisco portfolio has grown, and so has the Marris family’s winemaking legacy—Brent’s daughter Emma is making history as Marlborough’s first third-generation winemaker.
Two key pillars guide Marisco’s winemaking vision: an ethos of sustainability, and a determination to craft a diverse range of wines that express their place of origin. Both of these hinge on a key factor: full vineyard ownership, which allows the Marris family to maintain control over their vines from budbreak to harvest and beyond. There are 2,500 acres of vineyards under Marisco’s careful oversight, and two wineries in the heart of these vineyards to bring the essence of the grape into the bottle.
Being part of this land is caring for this land—both now and in the future. Regenerative farming has been the Marris family’s guiding principle long before it was trendy, resulting in better soil health and vineyards that are full of life. These sustainable practices are wide-reaching, from using sheep for weed management and fertilization—reducing both diesel and herbicide use—to enhancing biodiversity through native plantings. Native falcons have been reintroduced to support natural pest control, while local vegetation attracts beneficial insects and strengthens ecosystem resilience. In the cellar and beyond, efforts to minimize energy and water waste are matched by circular practices such as repurposing broken vineyard posts, irrigation tubes, and grape marc, turning potential waste into valuable resources or returning it to the land as organic matter.
With healthier soils and vines come higher-quality, more expressive grapes as well—a key component to the Marris family’s wine styles. Though Marisco’s wine labels each have their own personality—the liveliness of The Ned, the charm of Leefield Station, the purity of Fernlands—they share natural balance, bright acidity, and a true sense of place.
From fresh Sauvignon Blancs to floral Pinot Gris and fruity, earthy Pinot Noirs, each Marisco wine is meant to showcase the breathtaking variety of Marlborough, from mountain peak to valley floor. And these wines are already garnering attention on American soil—Wine Spectator has awarded multiple 90+ point scores to Marisco wines, including The Ned Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (91 points), The Ned Pinot Gris 2024 (90 points), and and The Ned Pinot Noir 2021 (92 points).
Now, through their exclusive partnership with another multigenerational wine company, U.S. wine importer Quintessential, Marisco is bringing its vision of Marlborough wine to American wine lovers across the country. As U.S. wine lovers look beyond the New Zealand wines they’ve always known, Marisco Vineyards is ready to show them all the treasures that Marlborough has to offer—and future generations are poised to carry that on as well.
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