Wine success for Blenheim

Published: Aug. 30, 2011, 5 a.m.

The Wairau River dominates the plains around Blenheim - and its waters have sometimes flooded the town. But it is also the source of the free-draining stony soils that have proved ideal for growing grapes for wine, leading to international success for Marlborough sauvignon blanc. Over 20,000 hectares of the region are planted in vineyards.