2022 Nga Waka Pinot Noir Martinborough

Staff Reviews

RR

Rachael Ryan

Rachael Ryan

K&L Buyer

Review Date: 08/2025

Martinborough, located at the bottom of New Zealand’s North Island, has long been regarded as one of the best winegrowing regions in the New World for Pinot Noir and the 2022 Nga Waka is such a classic — and value-oriented — offering from this corner of the world. Balancing vibrant red and black fruit with a distinct savory component and subtle spiciness, this Pinot Noir has bright, refreshing acidity and a plush, easygoing mouthfeel. 2022 was the one of the last vintages produced by longtime Nga Waka winemaker Roger Parkinson, who managed over three decades of harvests at the estate. And while 2022 was a wetter than normal vintage in Martinborough, the free-draining gravel soils of the region, which itself is located on the bench of the Ruamahanga River, handled these conditions with ease. The result is a wine that is ready to drink now, with wide open fruit aromatics and flavors. This is a great choice to pop open on a movie night at home or a casual backyard dinner. Its friendly, approachable style and wide range of food pairing possibilities make this one a crowd pleaser.

CH

Cary Herrman

Cary Herrman

Review Date: 08/2025

A playful rebel in Pinot's clothing - bright red fruit and earthy spice wrapped in an easy, almost careless charm. There's a subtle funk that keeps it interesting, and a surprising weight from it's generous alcohol content, adding warmth without sacrificing freshness. Effortless to drink, dangerously easy to finish, and just the right amount of wild.

Notes

Nga Waka was founded in Martinborough more than 30 years ago and has since become a benchmark producer in the region. Longtime winemaker Roger Parkinson – whose first vintage at Nga Waka was in 1993 – retired in 2024, making 2022 one of his last vintages at the estate. A wetter than normal vintage in 2022 reduced crop size and required careful handling in the winery, though the region’s free-draining soils and a cool climate allowed classic Martinborough savory and slightly spicy character to shine through. The focus at Nga Waka is producing food-friendly wines with a restrained, elegant style that also have the potential to age gracefully. As a side note, the name “Nga Waka” comes from Nga Waka a Kupe (The Canoes of Kupe) which refers to the three hills that sit side by side like upturned canoes, forming a dramatic backdrop to Martinborough and its surrounding landscape. According to legend, these hills were created when the great Polynesian explorer Kupe’s three canoes were carried inland by a large earthquake, eventually coming to rest in the valley behind the town. Today, Nga Waka remains a family-owned winery, now operated by Jay Short and Peg Dupey. The estate includes seven small vineyards dotted around the village of Martinborough, primarily producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.