Foxes Island Wines are named after the site at which they are made. In earlier times this "island" was often ravaged by the floodwaters of the Wairau and Opawa Rivers - now it has become an arid ridge in the heart of Marlborough's wine region.

A chance encounter for John Belsham in 1977 in the Medoc region of France led to five intensive years of training as a winemaker at a small family owned Chateau.
Returning home, John's dream of developing his own wines of significance and renown has now been realised.

In 1988 John and his wife, Anne Graham planted their own 4.5 hectare vineyard in Rapaura Rd, Marlborough to provide Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes for Foxes Island. To secure the future development of the brand, in 2000 20 hectares of land was purchased in the Awatere Valley, Marlborough where new plantings are continuing. Two other Marlborough vineyards have been selected to supply the label, each one chosen for its site and aspect to contribute a unique feature to the wines' ultimate balance.