Kim Crawford

Kim Crawford Wines was established in 1996 in Marlborough, New Zealand, and has become known for precise control over grape supply and a consistent house style rooted in fruit-driven winemaking. Under Chief Winemaker Dave Edmonds, the team continues the original Crawford philosophy, drawing on the largest vineyard resource in Marlborough. From 2022, the winery has adopted lightweight bottles as part of broader sustainability commitments. The signature wines—especially Sauvignon Blanc—reflect the region's cool climate and the winemakers' skill at blending fruit from multiple sites to deliver both freshness and complexity.

About Kim Crawford

Kim and Erica Crawford founded the company in late 1996 with two wines made from Marlborough fruit. In 2005, they sold the business, but the winemaking philosophy has remained intact under Constellation ownership. The brand has long prioritized access to diverse grape sources, with the team maintaining strong contracts with growers throughout Marlborough, upholding both quality benchmarks and a recognizable house character across all releases.

The Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is the flagship wine, incorporating fruit from the winery's extensive holdings in the Wairau, Awatere, Blind River, Waihopai and Omaka Valleys, assembled from over 200 distinct vineyard parcels. The blend draws on vines up to 20 years old, combining youthful exuberance and fruit with the depth that age brings. This multi-parcel approach gives the winemakers a broad palette of flavours to work with.

In selected vintages, Kim Crawford releases 'Spitfire' Sauvignon Blanc, a wine named after a historic military airfield located near Blenheim during World War II. These small parcels are sourced from intensely flavoured sites and often come from single vineyards. The Pinot Noir draws from both Marlborough and Central Otago vineyards, giving the team a wide range of flavour profiles to craft the signature red berry and spice character Kim Crawford is known for. New Zealand winemaking practices—including rapid processing of fruit and temperature control during fermentation—ensure that aromatic varieties retain their delicate character and freshness.

Kim Crawford Wines in Our Collection

The 2024 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is the entry point to the range. It scored 89–94 points across multiple critics, with consistent 3.9 ratings on Vivino. This is the everyday wine: green, flinty, and clean, ideal when you want Marlborough's signature style without spending more. The 2025 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (90 pts, James Suckling) offers the same house character in a fresh vintage.

Step up to the 2023 Spitfire Small Parcels (92 pts, James Suckling; 4.1 on Vivino) or 2025 Spitfire (91 pts from Jancis Robinson and James Suckling; 4.1 Vivino) for more intensity and complexity. These single-vineyard selections deliver the depth critics consistently reward. For white variety beyond Sauvignon Blanc, the 2023 Pinot Gris (89 pts, Jancis Robinson) provides an aromatic, floral alternative with more body. The 2024 Pinot Noir (88 pts, James Suckling) is the red option—light, perfumed, and true to the Marlborough style. Choose it when you want red wine that does not overshadow food.

Food Pairing

The Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc pairs naturally with shellfish, crab, and prawns, as well as goat's cheese and salads with sharp vinaigrette. The Spitfire, with its greater intensity, suits richer seafood dishes and herb-crusted fish. The Pinot Gris works with lighter poultry, risotto, and Asian noodle dishes. The Pinot Noir is versatile enough for duck, salmon, and mushroom-based dishes, but remains delicate enough not to dominate.

Why does Kim Crawford blend from so many vineyard parcels?

Blending over 200 separate parcels gives the winemakers access to a broad range of flavours and the ability to balance youthful fruit with depth, creating consistency across vintages while maintaining the signature house style.

What is Spitfire Sauvignon Blanc and why is it different?

Spitfire is a small-parcel selection, often from single vineyards, sourced from intensely flavoured sites near the former RAF base in Blenheim. It offers greater complexity and typically scores higher than the standard Marlborough bottling.

Are Kim Crawford wines sustainable?

From 2022, the winery has adopted lightweight bottles as a sustainability initiative. The team also maintains strong vineyard contracts ensuring quality control and responsible fruit sourcing across the Marlborough region.

Who makes Kim Crawford wines?

Kim and Erica Crawford founded the winery in 1996 in Marlborough, New Zealand. Chief Winemaker Dave Edmonds now leads the team under Constellation ownership, maintaining the original Crawford philosophy of fruit-driven winemaking.

What style of wine does Kim Crawford make?

Kim Crawford specializes in fruit-driven whites and reds from Marlborough and Central Otago. Sauvignon Blanc is the flagship—green, flinty, and fresh (90 pts)—alongside Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and premium Spitfire parcels for added complexity.

How much does Kim Crawford wine cost?

Kim Crawford wines range from £15.10 to £23.05. Entry-level Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc starts at £15.10; premium Spitfire selections and Pinot Noir reach £23.05.