Nga Waka is a Martinborough estate built on quiet conviction — a winery where vine age, soil depth, and human restraint converge to shape wines of enduring clarity and grace. Named after the three distinctive hills — Nga Waka o Kupe — that overlook the Martinborough Terrace, the estate was founded in 1988 and is now led by Roger Parkinson, a winemaker whose calm precision and deep familiarity with the land define the estate’s character and style.

The 10 hectares of estate vineyards are located on the ancient alluvial gravels of the Martinborough Terrace, a subregion known for producing structured, aromatic wines with fine tannins and mineral energy. The vines — some of the oldest in the region — are dry-farmed and sustainably managed, with a focus on clonal diversity, low yields, and long-term vine health. Every decision in the vineyard is made with balance in mind, aiming to preserve the region’s natural tension and purity.

In the cellar, Parkinson takes a restrained, classical approach. Fermentations are with native yeasts where possible, oak is used sparingly, and all wines are handled with a light touch. Pinot Noir, the flagship, is fermented in small batches, aged in French oak (mostly older barrels), and bottled unfiltered. Chardonnay and Riesling are crafted with textural clarity — whole-bunch pressed, fermented in a mix of stainless steel and old oak, and aged on lees for depth without weight.

The wines are poised and finely textured. Pinot Noir is red-fruited and herbal, with forest floor, spice, and finely woven tannins — graceful and quietly expressive. Chardonnay is taut, saline, and lightly creamy, with citrus zest and flint. Riesling, whether dry or off-dry, is precise and pure, with green apple, lime, and long, chalky persistence. Across the range, the wines speak of restraint — not muted, but focused, shaped to reflect site and season without overstatement.

What defines Nga Waka is its unhurried confidence — a producer that trusts its land and lets the wines evolve with natural poise and purpose.

These are wines that carry their story lightly — composed, articulate, and anchored in the quiet beauty of Martinborough’s ancient stones.