Marlborough wineries TerraVin Wines, Saint Clair Family Estate and Nautilus Estate are among New Zealand's top pinot noir producers, according to international wine magazine Decanter, which has given them a five-star rating in this month's edition.

New Zealand Master of Wine Bob Campbell wrote the vintage report.

TerraVin achieved the accolade for the second year in a row, while Nautilus Estate crept up the ranks from a four-star rating last year.

TerraVin Wines co-owner Mike Eaton said the write-up cemented Marlborough's position as a premier pinot noir producer. TerraVin planted its first pinot in 1991, and was beginning to reap the rewards, along with other wine labels around the region such as Fromm, Seresin and Churton.

Producing quality pinot noir had been a slow evolution, but knowledge about different sites, the fruit, and the best way to handle it had built up over the years, Mr Eaton said.

Saint Clair Family Estate owner Neal Ibbotson agreed the article reflected well on the region, especially for its pinot noir.

He said it was becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference between pinot noirs from around the country, but Marlborough's was up there with the best.

Nautilus Estate winemaker and winery manager Clive Jones was pleased that the region was getting recognition for a "top-notch" variety other than sauvignon blanc.

Five-star pinot noir: Nautilus Estate pinot noir 2010; Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block pinot noir 2010; TerraVin Wines pinot noir 2010.

- The Marlborough Express

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