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About Escarpment
Founded in 1999 by renowned winemaker Larry McKenna, widely recognised as the "Godfather of New Zealand Pinot Noir," Escarpment is one of Martinborough's benchmark wineries, dedicated to crafting elegant, terroir-driven wines.
Named after the dramatic escarpment that shapes the local landscape, the winery is rooted in the ancient river terraces of Martinborough. Guided by a philosophy of thoughtful vineyard management and minimal intervention, Escarpment produces wines of purity, balance and precision that faithfully express the unique character of each vineyard and vintage.
The Vineyards
Escarpment's vineyards are planted across the famed Martinborough Terrace, where ancient alluvial soils were deposited by the Huangarua River over 20,000 years ago. Layers of free-draining gravels beneath the loamy topsoil create ideal growing conditions, encouraging deep root systems and naturally balanced vines.
The region's maritime climate, shaped by semi-continental influences, offers warm days, cool nights, a long growing season and low annual rainfall. These conditions allow grapes to ripen slowly while preserving freshness and natural acidity, resulting in wines of vibrant fruit expression, refined structure and remarkable ageing potential.
The Terroir
At Escarpment, terroir is expressed through purity, structure and a distinctive sense of place. The ancient gravels of the Martinborough Terrace, combined with the region's dry growing season and pronounced diurnal temperature variation, shape wines with depth, precision and natural elegance.
For Pinot Noir, this translates into vibrant red fruit, fine tannins and savoury complexity. For Chardonnay, it brings freshness, mineral tension and a refined, layered texture. Across every wine, Escarpment captures the balance and quiet intensity that define Martinborough.
