Look for the Mark: Celebrate the Sparkling Season Ahead with Méthode Marlborough – Méthode Marlborough is encouraging New Zealanders to “Look for the Mark” – the Méthode Marlborough quality mark – when choosing their summer sparkling.

The mark signifies the highest standard of locally crafted traditional method sparkling wine, proudly made in Marlborough from 100% Marlborough-grown grapes, using the same time-honoured méthode traditionnelle techniques as Champagne.

Every bottle reflects patience, precision, and regional provenance, defining world-class sparkling wine with elegance, complexity, and Marlborough character. Each Méthode Marlborough producer displays the mark in their own way – most often on the back label, or elegantly embossed around the neck – a subtle cue that signals authenticity, craftsmanship, and the assurance of Marlborough méthode quality.

Méthode Marlborough members are celebrating “the sparkling season ahead” and encouraging New Zealanders to choose wines carrying the mark – a symbol of exceptional traditional method sparkling wine crafted in Marlborough. This year, winemakers, owners and members share their reflections on the growing appreciation for locally crafted méthode wines, the collaborative expertise behind each bottle, and the authenticity, precision, and elegance that set Méthode Marlborough apart from any imported sparkling wine.

Andrew Parley, Méthode Marlborough Chair: “It’s so exciting watching consumers discover just how good Méthode Marlborough wines are. This group has worked collaboratively for well over a decade, sharing knowledge and experience to ensure that wines carrying the logo stack up impressively against any imported sparkling wine. There’s a real buzz around sparkling wines right now, which just adds to our enthusiasm for the style.”

Patricia Miranda-Taylor, Senior Winemaker, Lion New Zealand: “When choosing bubbles, look for the mark that stands for tradition, taste and true Marlborough excellence. We’re seeing a real appetite for authenticity – people want bubbles with a story, and Méthode Marlborough delivers that with every bottle.”

Stewart Maclennan, Senior Winemaker, Saint Clair Family Estate: “Choosing a bottle with the Méthode Marlborough mark means buying quality New Zealand méthode wines, grown locally and made with passion, care and expertise.”

Michelle McKean, Senior Brand Partner Manager, Lion New Zealand: “Even in a challenging economic environment, every Kiwi deserves to celebrate in style. With the Méthode Marlborough mark, shoppers can be confident every bottle of bubbles they choose is crafted in Marlborough and upholds the exceptional quality the region is famous for.”

Mel Skinner, Co-owner, Esses Wines: “As sparkling season approaches, it’s wonderful to see more New Zealanders reaching for Méthode Marlborough wines. There’s growing appreciation for the craftsmanship and patience that go into every bottle – and that’s exactly what the Méthode Marlborough mark represents. It’s an assurance of authenticity and quality, made right here in Marlborough.”

Méthode Marlborough is more than a mark on a bottle – it’s a shared platform that celebrates excellence in traditional method winemaking. Each wine reflects the Place, People, Process, and Product pillars: 100% Marlborough-grown grapes, hands-on craft, meticulous traditional method production, and sparkling wines with finesse, structure, and layered complexity.

For those visiting Marlborough this summer, the upcoming 2025/2026 Marlborough Wine Trail map will highlight Méthode Marlborough member wineries – look for the MM logo to identify cellar doors where these exceptional, benchmark-setting sparkling wines can be purchased, with many often available to taste.

This festive season, Méthode Marlborough invites wine lovers everywhere to discover, celebrate, and savour the very best of Marlborough sparkling – one bottle at a time.

Méthode Marlborough Members:

About Méthode Marlborough:

Méthode Marlborough is a collaborative group of wineries dedicated to producing world-class sparkling wine from the vast range available in New Zealand. All Méthode Marlborough wines are made in the traditional method, with the second fermentation occurring in the bottle, followed by meticulous riddling and disgorging processes. This produces wines with a fine and persistent bead. Additionally, all these wines are aged for a minimum of 18 months before disgorging, allowing for the development of complex flavours that balance fresh and fruit-driven character with savoury notes of toast and brioche. Méthode Marlborough is dedicated to making and promoting wines made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, internationally recognised as a benchmark style by sparkling wine producers around the world.

For more information, visit – https://www.methodemarlborough.org/

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