This is a tale of deception, daring, disaster...and deliverance.It also features skinny sheep and wine robots.It's the story of Marlborough, the iconic New Zealand wine region which is celebrating its 50th wine birthday, after vines were planted by Frank Yukich in August 1973.Yukich had risked personal financial ruin getting to this point. 'Wines from here will become world famous!' he declared. Shortly after which most of the vines died from drought.But no adventure story is without its supreme setbacks. And this story features everything from the Queen to gut-rot via shiny tractors.On the wine front, it's sobering to think just how far Marlborough has come in 50 harvests, from a shaky start to sensational Sauvignon Blanc and much more besides. It's a region helping set the global agenda for the wine of the future - and a tribute to the imaginative, resilient Kiwi spirit.This is a sponsored episode in collaboration with New Zealand Winegrowers. We taste and recommend the following wines from Marlborough:Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2022Brancott Estate Chosen Rows Sauvignon Blanc 2015Hans Herzog Zweigelt 2017Hans Herzog Spirit of Marlborough 2016Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2022Greywacke Wild Sauvignon 2021Lawson's Dry Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2021Blank Canvas Reed Chardonnay 2022Villa Maria Seddon Pinot Gris 2020Wairau River Pinot Noir 2021We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe or you can find more details to get in touch on our website (link below).All details from this episode are on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S5 E2: Marlborough at 50Thanks for tuning in. Here's to the joy of wine - cheers to you!