Perched on a river terrace above the braided Awatere River, Upton Downs Vineyard is a site shaped by time, tectonics, and tenacity. Once an apricot orchard, it was transformed in the early 2000s by the Turnbull family, who saw the potential in this elevated, windswept corner of Marlborough’s Upper Awatere Valley.
Today, the vineyard is run by Tahi and Olivia Doonan, with Olivia continuing her family’s legacy on the land she grew up with. Together, they bring a new generation of stewardship to this remarkable site, where geology, climate, and care converge.
We are privileged to work with a small parcel of Clone 777 Pinot Noir from the vineyard’s elevated block. First produced in 2016, this fruit forms the heart of our Blank Canvas Upton Downs Vineyard Pinot Noir: a wine that reflects the lifted elegance and fine structure of this unique terroir.
Key Facts
Subregion: Upper Awatere Valley
Valley: Awatere Valley
Region: Marlborough
Grows: Pinot Noir
Clone: 777
Planted: 2003
Rainfall: 650 mm / annum
Mean Annual GDD: 1000-1250
Soils: Silty loams, sand, gravel, clay
Elevation (m): 200 m
Hectares: 1.14 ha
Growers: Tahi and Olivia Doonan
Viticulturist: Tahi Doonan
Soil & Climate
The Upper Awatere viticultural area lies on the Awatere Fault Line, and over millennia, geological uplift has created a complex matrix of river silts, clays, loams, and gravels. These low to moderate-vigour soils, combined with the vineyard’s elevated position, offer excellent drainage and natural vine balance.
The Upper Awatere is cooler and drier than the neighbouring Wairau Valley, resulting in Pinot Noir with lifted florals, bright acidity, and a lighter, more ethereal frame. These wines are a true expression of cool-climate finesse.
Grower Philosophy
Planted in 2003, the vineyard is cane-pruned and VSP-trained, and the parcel we work with is hand-harvested and meticulously managed. The dry, cool climate keeps disease pressure low, allowing for a thoughtful, low-intervention approach.
Tahi and Olivia live and work on the land, guided by a philosophy of kaitiakitanga—the Māori principle of guardianship. Their commitment to sustainability is evident in every decision, from their 0% chemical residue rating to their long-term vision for the land’s health and future.
Upton Downs is a vineyard of quiet strength and deep roots, where Pinot Noir is grown with purpose, and the land is honoured with care.
