Nautilus Estate

When the winery was founded, there were around 80 wineries in New Zealand, today there are over 700, and yet the family-run winery has remained small and manageable – the owner Robert Hill Smith is a fifth-generation winemaker. This family ownership means that the winery benefits from generations of experience with the ups and downs of viticulture.

Nautilus' recipe for success is carefully selected vineyards in various regions in Marlborough, such as the well-known Wairau Valley or the neighbouring Awatere Valley, which offer optimal conditions for the cultivation of grape varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The climate is characterised by warm summers – Marlborough has one of the highest hours of sunshine in New Zealand with an average of over 2,400 hours of sunshine per year – cool nights and a moderate maritime influence thanks to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. This leads to a slow ripening of the grapes and optimal development of the flavours. The soils are characterised by a combination of clay and pebbles, which provide excellent drainage and influence the character of the wines. These unique conditions and sustainable cultivation contribute to the remarkable freshness, intensity and complexity of the Nautilus wines.

Winemaker and cellar master Clive Jones and the whole team at Nautilus Estate in Marlborough know what is important when it comes to wine quality and have remained true to the mantra of never wanting to be the biggest, but always striving for the best and with great success. Nautilus now enjoys a reputation as one of the best wineries in New Zealand!