Recognising the site of the Marlborough Wine Festival, all Festival Block wines honour this annual celebration of local food and wine and showcase varietals from around New Zealand. Pretty, deep ruby hue with a bouquet of mostly cedar and smoky oak. It's dry with nice dark fruit character, plum, black currant, spiciness and pithy tannins.

Classic Merlot aromas of decadent plum and dark cherry are complemented by hints of spiced fruit cake and mocha. The palate is medium-bodied and full of blackcurrant, liquorice and dried herb, supported by fine tannins for a soft, concentrated finish. Sourced from carefully selected vineyards in the Hawke's Bay, the oldest wine region in New Zealand.

The philosophy of Oyster Bay is to produce fine, distinctly regional wines that are elegant and assertive with glorious fruit flavours. An affordable, everyday luxury.

Named after the family cottage built by Penfolds founder Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold in 1845, Rawson's Retreat honours the winery's rich heritage while offering an approachable taste of classic Australian winemaking. This Merlot reveals layers of dark plum and ripe cherry, complemented by subtle spice and savoury oak. Soft, silky tannins create a balanced palate and a smooth, satisfying finish, making it a versatile red that pairs effortlessly with roast meats, pasta dishes and everyday favourites.

In Stoneleigh's Marlborough vineyards, sunstones absorb sunshine during the day, radiating heat onto the vines at night, resulting in their distinctly vibrant wines. Stoneleigh Classic Merlot, the aroma is fragrant with plums, blackberries and black cherry notes.

This wine is medium to full-bodied with lush red berry, plum and cherry fruit characters. The fruit flavours are balanced by undertones of creamy mocha, spice & subtle savoury characters. The palate has a soft, velvety texture with grainy tannins through the mid-palate and a long, persistence to finish.

This is a medium-bodied wine with a soft, round and gloriously fleshy palate. Delicious flavours of ripe plum, red berries abound with subtle coffee bean also evident.

Enjoy the smooth velvet texture with rich flavours of plum, blackberry with subtle hints of spice and vanilla from oak maturation. A sweet-fruited and textured palate possessing supple tannins makes this a versatile food wine and suitable for any occasion.

This blend of predominantly Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon has fragrant aromas and flavours of cassis, red fruits and dried herbs. A rich mouthfeel is balanced with supple tannins leading to a deliciously smooth finish.

Established in 1994 and named after the landmark Wither Hills range that borders the vineyards, the Wither Hills expert team grow and craft expressive wines New Zealanders know and trust to represent quality. Wither Hills Merlot is wonderfully dense yet exquisitely structured and warmly textured, alive with vibrant dark plums, cigar box and chocolate nuances. The essence of Hawke's Bay in a glass.

The heartland of Wolf Blass winemaking, Yellow Label has delivered exceptional quality for over 50 years. Yellow Label wines are bright, fruit-driven and full of flavour, pairing perfectly with food to help make any meal an occasion. Yellow Label Merlot offers dark fruit aromas of plum and cassis with a touch of oak spice and hints of leafiness. Rich flavours meld well with supple, varietal tannins in an approachable, medium-bodied style with a smooth, long-lasting finish.