THE BETTER HALF WINES ARE BACK!

The Better Half Wines are ringing in the new year with a label redesign and the US release of the new 2021 vintage of The Better Half Sauvignon Blanc. Grown and made in Marlborough, New Zealand, The Better Half wines embody the wildly creative spirit of winemaker, part-time pilot, amateur aircraft restorer and avid mountain biker George Elworthy. “That’s all a bit hard to fit on a business card,” according to George, who cheekily named his wines “The Better Half,” as a shout-out to his friendly rivalry with wife and business partner, winemaker Jules Taylor.

“We have sold The Better Half Wines to friends in the States for some time now, but we have mostly kept under the radar,” said Winemaker/Owner George Elworthy. “It felt like the time had come to freshen up the look, and for me to step out from behind the desk and tell the story of these wines and the vineyards behind them. We pour our love for the land and the fruit we grow into creating wines to share amidst the banter and laughter with friends and family. However you share, slurp or sip, we invite you to raise a glass, then relax and enjoy.”

The redesigned label of The Better Half features two birds, representing George and Jules: the eagle is George, a daring risk-taker who is always looking to the future, while the dove is Jules, the peacemaker of the family known for her more cautious, meticulous approach. Together, they make an unflappable, formidable team who complement each other perfectly. George and Jules dared to dream big and now they fly high with a successful stable of world-class wines tucked under their wings. The stylized birds also capture George’s passion for aviation, with embossed, riveted details that recall vintage aircraft.

The Better Half Wines are grown and made in Marlborough, at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. “Marlborough is the edge of the earth, home to dreamers, pioneers, and aviators,” shares George. “It’s the place that put a tiny South Pacific nation on the world wine map: a region of sunny, dry summers and crisp, clear winters creating the perfect growing conditions for our tiny, delicious parcels of happiness.”

 

  • 2021 The Better Half Sauvignon Blanc: This quintessentially vibrant MarlboroughSauvignon Blanc is incredibly lively on the palate and generously layered with mouth-watering tropical fruit flavors and a lip-smacking finish. 2021 was a tiny vintage in Marlborough and George turned a small, but perfectly ripened batch of berries into pure sunshine. 5% ABV (SRP: $16/750-ML) 

 

 

 

 

2026 Marlborough Harvest   ·  The Better Half Wine, New Zealand

2026 Marlborough Harvest: Good News All Round.

Every bottle of The Better Half starts in a vineyard at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. Here’s the story of the 2026 Marlborough harvest— what happened out there, why it matters and what it means for your Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

 

First, a quick geography lesson

Marlborough sits at the very top of New Zealand’s South Island — think long sunny days, cool nights and a warm breeze that rolls down the valleys. Every 2026 Marlborough harvest starts here, in one of the most celebrated wine regions in the world, best known for Sauvignon Blanc that actually tastes like something and Pinot Noir with real depth and character.

That’s where your Better Half comes from. Made at the edge of the earth. No big deal.

Spring arrived with a roar

The 2026 season kicked off with a burst of warm weather that had the vines practically racing out of the ground. No damaging frosts, no slow starts — just sunshine, warm air and that our secret-weapon-nor’west-breeze. Flowering came way earlier than usual, and the conditions were near-perfect for it. The grapes got a head start.

“We had one of those rare springs where everything just clicked — the kind of start that makes you optimistic all the way to harvest.”

the cool finish is actually the best part

After such a warm, energetic start, summer dialled back in the best possible way. Cooler temperatures and overcast days in the lead-up to harvest slowed ripening right down — and that’s a very good thing.

Think of it like slow cooking: The hot start and cool finish meant the season was extended: developing fruit flavor and concentration whil locking in the freshness, brightness and zingy acidity that make Marlborough wines famous.

The result is wine that’s full of flavor AND refreshing. Just what you want in the perfect glass.

How the 2026 Marlborough Harvest Unfolded

The 2026 Marlborough harvest ran across six weeks — and didn’t disappoint. We worked our way through the vineyards, picking each block and variety at exactly the right moment. Some grapes came in by machine, others were hand-picked bunch by bunch. Both take skill. Both involve early morning starts fuelled by a lot of enthusiasm and some extra caffeine.

We started in late February and swung into high gear as March unfolded, and finished with a final pick at the beginning of April as fall settled in.

So what does the 2026 Marlborough Harvest taste like when it hits your glass?

Bright, fresh and full of flavour

The warm spring packed the fruit with flavour and character. The cool finish kept everything vibrant and crisp. The 2026 Better Half Sauvignon Blanc is shaping up to be the kind you crack open on a Tuesday for no particular reason, or on a Friday night special occasion — and then immediately wish you’d bought more. The Pinot Noir? Expect depth, fruit and a finish that makes you pour a second glass before you’ve finished the first. Consider yourself warned.

The 2026 range is on its way.
Be first to know when it drops.

 

Shop the Better Half
Marlborough vineyard at harvest time
Harvesting grapes in Marlborough
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