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Northland
Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, ChardonnayNorthland is the home of
New Zealand's first vines
planted in 1819...Northland
Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, ChardonnayNorthland is the home of New Zealand's first vines planted in 1819, and there has been a strong resurgence of interest in wine making here in recent years. Grape growing is scattered across three districts, one near Kaitaia, the others in the Bay of Islands and near Whangarei.
Northland has the country's warmest ripening conditions, which explains the predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay. Vineyards are sited mainly on the flat or on gentle slopes and soils vary from shallow clay over sandy-clay subsoils to free-draining volcanic structures.
Auckland
Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, ChardonnayAuckland is home to some of
New Zealand’s oldest established
vineyards, with around 100 vineyards
and wineries in the region...Auckland
Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, ChardonnayAuckland is home to some of New Zealand’s oldest established vineyards, with around 100 vineyards and wineries in the region. The traditional winemaking districts in the Auckland region are Henderson, Kumeu and Huapai, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay the most popular varietals.
Waiheke Island has some of Auckland's newest wineries and is responsible for the production of high quality red wines. The vineyards of Matakana are one hour north of Auckland and have earned an enviable reputation for Cabernet Sauvignon.
Gisborne
Chardonnay
Gisborne is New Zealand’s fourth
largest grape growing region and
is known as the Chardonnay capital
of New Zealand...Gisborne
Chardonnay
Gisborne is New Zealand’s fourth largest grape growing region and is known as the Chardonnay capital of New Zealand, with over half the vineyards growing this grape varietal. Other white varietals include Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer and Riesling.
Located on the east coast, its vines are first in the world to see the sun each day. The vineyards are situated on the coastal plains and are sheltered from the west by mountains with alluvial loam soils over sandy or volcanic subsoils.
Hawkes Bay
Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, Syrah,
ChardonnayHawke’s Bay is the second largest
wine growing region and the leading
wine and food tourism destination
in New Zealand...Hawkes Bay
Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, Syrah,
ChardonnayHawke’s Bay is the second largest wine growing region and the leading wine and food tourism destination in New Zealand, with a strong wine tradition and many of New Zealand’s best wineries located here.
The combination of plenty of sun and a temperate climate makes Hawke’s Bay the red wine capital of New Zealand, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah the stars and Chardonnay the most widely planted of the whites.
The varied topography and wide range of soil types, from fertile silty loams to free-draining shingle, produces a considerable range of wine styles.
Wairarapa
Pinot Noir,
Sauvignon BlancThe success of Pinot Noir in
the Wairarapa has driven the
rapid development of this
dynamic region...Wairarapa
Pinot Noir,
Sauvignon BlancThe success of Pinot Noir in the Wairarapa has driven the rapid development of this dynamic region with many wineries developing big international reputations. An hour’s drive from Wellington, many of its boutique wineries, cafes and world class restaurants are within an easy walk of the Martinborough town square.
Wairarapa is more aligned climatically to Marlborough than to any of the other North Island regions so Sauvignon Blanc does well here too. Vineyards tend to be planted on high alluvial terraces in deep stony and free draining soils. Climatically the area is similar to Marlborough, with low rainfall, high sunshine hours and cool nights.
Nelson
Chardonnay,
Sauvignon Blanc,
Riesling, Pinot NoirNelson wineries are mainly
located in the alluvial loam soils
of the Waimea Plains...Nelson
Chardonnay,
Sauvignon Blanc,
Riesling, Pinot NoirNelson wineries are mainly located in the alluvial loam soils of the Waimea Plains and the valleys of the beautiful hills in the region, where the mountains limit rainfall and the coastline moderates temperature extremes.
Wineries are picturesque and many offer the chance to taste wines the way they should be – with fresh local cuisine.
Grape varieties that are grown here are those that respond to cooler growing conditions, so Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir account for the majority of the planted vines.
Marlborough
Sauvignon Blanc,
Chardonnay, Riesling,
Pinot NoirMarlborough is New Zealand’s largest
wine growing region...Marlborough
Sauvignon Blanc,
Chardonnay, Riesling,
Pinot NoirMarlborough is New Zealand’s largest wine growing region and has the enviable international reputation for producing the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world. Not bad for a region that planted its first grapes 35 years ago.
Abundant sunshine, cool nights, low autumn rains, a long growing season and the free draining alluvial soils over the gravelly subsoils of the Wairau and Awatere River valleys all contribute to the stunning growing conditions of Marlborough.
One third of the region's grapes are planted in Sauvignon Blanc with the remaining varietals predominantly Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling.
Canterbury/Waipara Valley
Chardonnay, Riesling
Pinot NoirThe first Canterbury grapes were first
planted on the plains around the city
of Christchurch in the late 1970s...Canterbury/Waipara Valley
Chardonnay, Riesling
Pinot NoirThe first Canterbury grapes were first planted on the plains around the city of Christchurch in the late 1970s. More recently, the Waipara Valley is creating the most excitement as a wine growing area with its chalky loams rich in limestone and is fast becoming internationally recognised for the quality of its Riesling wines.
Long, dry summers, cool, clear and frosty winters and abundant sunshine are features in both areas although Waipara, which is sheltered from the coast by a low range of hills, can be significantly warmer. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling are the most widely planted grape varieties.
Central Otago
Pinot Noir,
Chardonnay,
Sauvignon Blanc, RieslingCentral Otago is the world’s
southern-most wine producing region...Central Otago
Pinot Noir,
Chardonnay,
Sauvignon Blanc, RieslingCentral Otago is the world's southern-most wine producing region, New Zealand's most scenic wine region and the only region with a true continental climate. British wine writer Jancis Robinson named the region as one of the top five New World wine producing regions.
The region is subject to extremes of temperature, with summers hot and dry, and winters crisp and snowy. Soil structures are very different with heavy mineral deposits of mica and schists in silt loams.
Some of New Zealand’s very best Pinot Noir wines are produced here and it is the dominant grape variety, followed by Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.
