Tinpot Hut Wines Ltd is a Marlborough producer founded in 2003 by winemaker Fiona Turner and her husband Hamish in the Blind River sub-region. The estate's name references a historic sheep-mustering hut, bridging Marlborough's farming heritage with its present reputation as a dynamic wine region. What sets Tinpot Hut apart is Fiona's focus on blending fruit from her own 20-hectare vineyard with carefully selected parcels from neighbouring sites, creating wines that express specific terroir — mineral Blind River characters alongside tropical Lower Wairau notes. Working alongside Matt Thomson, Fiona approaches winemaking with restraint and precision, letting the vineyard speak rather than imposing heavy-handed technique.

About Tinpot Hut Wines Ltd

Fiona Turner established Tinpot Hut on her 'Home Block' in Blind River, a cooler corner of Marlborough that imparts mineral and crushed herb characters to white wines. Rather than relying solely on estate fruit, she supplements with grapes from carefully selected vineyards across the Marlborough region — the Lower Wairau Valley and Upper Awatere Valley — allowing her to craft blends of real complexity. This approach reflects a philosophy that the best wine emerges from understanding where fruit comes from and how different sites contribute to the final blend. The winemaking itself is clean and focused: Fiona avoids over-extraction or unnecessary oak influence, instead preserving the fresh, pure flavours that define her whites and the elegant structure of her reds. Her partnership with Matt Thomson, a winemaker and colleague of many years, reinforces this commitment to considered winemaking choices at every stage from harvest to bottling.

Tinpot Hut Wines Ltd Wines in Our Collection

The 2025 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (87 points) is the flagship wine, a deliberate blend of Blind River and Lower Wairau fruit that captures mineral, herbaceous notes from the cooler slopes alongside tropical fruit from the warmer valley floor. For red wine drinkers, the 2020 Marlborough Pinot Noir (88 points) delivers intense black cherry with hints of plum and redcurrant, supported by soft, silky tannins and well-balanced acidity that ensures excellent length. All three wines represent consistent, assured winemaking without manipulation. Tinpot Hut also produces a lower-alcohol Riesling from the Lower Wairau and a Late Harvest Riesling from Blind River and the Upper Awatere Valley — the latter a full-bodied, textural wine with ripe apricot, mandarin and subtle spice.

Food Pairing

The Sauvignon Blanc's mineral, herbaceous profile pairs naturally with goat's cheese, green salads with pumpkin seeds, and lighter seafood dishes — grilled white fish, scallops, or prawns with lemon. The Pinot Gris, with its brioche undertones and textured body, complements richer fish preparations, roasted chicken with herbs, or dishes with cream sauces. The Pinot Noir's bright red fruit and soft tannins work well with roasted or grilled meats of moderate richness — duck breast, lamb chops, or venison — and also suits lighter charcuterie boards with quality cured meats and aged cheese.

Why does Tinpot Hut blend fruit from different Marlborough sites?

Fiona Turner sources from Blind River, Lower Wairau, and Upper Awatere to capture distinct terroir characteristics: mineral and herbaceous notes from Blind River, tropical flavours from the warmer valley, and ripe stone fruit from cooler upper slopes. Blending these creates complexity and balance.

Who makes Tinpot Hut wines?

Winemaker Fiona Turner established the estate in 2003 with her husband Hamish. She works alongside Matt Thomson, a colleague and fellow winemaker, ensuring careful decision-making at every stage from harvest to bottling.

What style of winemaking does Tinpot Hut practice?

Tinpot Hut favours clean, restrained winemaking that preserves fresh, pure fruit flavours without heavy oak influence or over-extraction. The focus is on letting the vineyard and terroir express themselves through the wine.

Who makes Tinpot Hut Wines?

Winemaker Fiona Turner and her husband Hamish founded Tinpot Hut in 2003 in Marlborough's Blind River sub-region. Fiona works alongside winemaker Matt Thomson to craft their wines with precision and restraint.

What style of wine does Tinpot Hut make?

Tinpot Hut specialises in Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Riesling from Marlborough. Their whites are mineral and fresh; the 2024 Pinot Gris scored 89 points. Clean winemaking preserves pure fruit flavours without heavy oak.