People do not immediately think of wine when they hear of New Zealand. However, some of the best wine regions in New Zealand have created a booming wine industry. It is home to the Southernmost vineyards in the world. Due to its maritime climate, there is plenty of sunshine, cool breezes, and unique soil conditions. Most of the wine regions are found on the eastern coast and no vineyard is more than 80 miles from the ocean.
Starting in the 1800s, the New Zealand wine industry has now expanded to over 500 wineries. New Zealand’s most popular wines are Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, but each region specializes in a variety of types. The wines can be found around the world, but a trip to the New Zealand wine regions is a treat! The following are 7 of the best wine regions in New Zealand.
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Table of Contents
Best Wine Regions in New Zealand: North Island
Hawke’s Bay
By Alex of Discover Aotearoa -New Zealand from N to Z
Hawke’s Bay on the East Coast of New Zealand’s North Island is one of the best wine regions in New Zealand and great for Aucklanders to visit for a weekend. Napier, the region’s biggest city, looks different from other New Zealand towns. In 1931, it was destroyed in a massive earthquake and rebuilt in the latest architectural fashion: Art Deco. Combine a charming town with ocean and vineyards and you get the perfect place for a holiday.
Hawke’s Bay is most famous for its white wines, thanks to its sunny location. The most commonly found wines are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris. Also grown are some reds such as Merlot and Cabernet blends. Occasionally, the Hawke’s Bay vineyards are able to pick special grapes: Ice Wine. To create ice wine, frost is needed when the grapes are mature. The icy grapes are picked at night and instantly processed to create this delicious dessert wine.
A perfect weekend in the Hawke’s Bay wineries includes hiring a bike to pedal through the vineyards from one winery to the next, savoring the wine flavors of the Bay. Then, in the evening, check in to Mission Estate Winery for a concert in the vines.
Waiheke Island
By Caroline Keyzor of CK Travels
Waiheke Island is a laid-back haven with beautiful scenery located a 40-minute ferry ride away from downtown Auckland. It is a great place to visit as a day trip or for a long weekend. The island is a premium wine region and home to many world-class wineries, olive groves, beautiful beaches, and a lively arts scene.
Due to the island’s clay-based soil structure, low rainfall, and relatively warm microclimate, Waiheke can grow and ripen a wide range of grape varieties. This area produces many high-quality award-winning wines. The island is best known for its Bordeaux-style red wines based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc grape varieties. More recently, it has become known for its white wines such as Chardonnay, Syrah, Montepulciano, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc.
The area contains over 30 boutique vineyards set amongst the rolling hills. Many cellar doors are located on the coast with stunning views of the Hauraki Gulf, Rangitoto volcanic island, and the Auckland skyline. Land on Waiheke is quite pricey, so all the vineyard sizes are relatively small. The most popular wineries being Cable Bay, Mudbrick, and Man O’ War, which all have luxury restaurants on-site too.
Waiheke Island produces just one percent of all New Zealand’s wine with the majority of it is being sold directly at its winery cellar doors. However, some wineries can organize overseas shipments to Australia. It is one of the best wine regions in New Zealand.
Wairarapa
By Jenna Rank from I Know the Pilot
The Wairarapa region is located in the Southeast of the North Island of New Zealand, close to the capital city of Wellington. It is one of the best wine regions in New Zealand. This small, boutique region, is surrounded by beautiful countryside and full of wineries ready to welcome visitors. Many of the wineries are within walking distance of the main town square. Only 30 kilometers from the ocean, the area features various activities, accommodations, and delicious dining options, making it a perfect short getaway.
The area is semi-maritime, with cool spring and autumn seasons and warm summer days. This type of climate is perfect for late-harvest wines. The predominant variety to come from this region is Pinot Noir, followed by Sauvignon Blanc. There are also several aromatics, as well as ‘Syrah’ and some delicious dessert wines.
With a range of warm, rich fruit flavors, the region is internationally famous for its Pinot Noir. Though the region is unique, the climate and soil style is similar to the Burgundy region of France, another area known for its incredible Pinot Noir. A great place to start exploring the Wairarapa region is with a visit to the gorgeous town of Martinborough. Martinborough is at the heart of the ‘Classic New Zealand Wine Trail’, which has over twenty wineries and cellar doors within walking or biking distance. There are also daily wine tours you can jump on too!
Don’t forget to give the amazing Sauvignon Blanc varieties a try too, as well as the yummy dessert wines! This region is stunning, unique and off the beaten track, and well worth a visit. There are some really special wines to try here, amongst the beautiful views and friendly locals. Wairarapa is a must-do for all wine lovers!
Best Wine Regions in New Zealand: South Island
Canterbury
By Nadine Maffre from Christchurch Uncovered
The cool, dry climate of Canterbury, paired with lots of sunshine and little rain, makes it among the best places to grow grapes in New Zealand. The wine produced in this region is varied, with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling standing out as the clear favorites. Nonetheless, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot make appearances too.
Perhaps because it is surrounded by the more famous wine-growing regions of Central Otago and Marlborough, the Canterbury wine region often does not gain the attention it deserves. Due to its proximity to the South Island’s largest city, Christchurch, it is a winner with the locals and day-tripping visitors.
Canterbury is a reasonably young wine-growing region too, with the first commercial vineyards established in the 1970s. Although it has similar latitude to its Italian wine-growing counterpart, Tuscany, the terroir is quite different, and so too are the wines it produces. Many of the most famous wineries in the region are located North of Christchurch.
These include Pegasus Bay, Waipara Hills, and Black Estate, but there are a few good wineries closer to the city too. Make sure to try Meniscus Wines in Akaroa (just a scenic hour and a bit drive away). Head to Melton Estate for a more local tipple if you’re staying in Christchurch.
Central Otago
One of the best wine regions in New Zealand is Central Otago. Central Otago, located in the middle of New Zealand’s South Island, began producing wine in the 1950s. It rapidly expanded in the 1990s and has grown to over 100 wineries.
Central Otago is the world’s southernmost wine region and produces some pretty unique wines. This area is further divided into six subregions. Each region has its own characteristics and style of wine. Central Otago is an easy drive from Queenstown, thus making it a convenient area to visit.
Pinot Noir is the main wine produced in Central Otago, but Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer are also produced. Many of the varietals take on a Bordeaux style. The wine in Central Otago is delicious and cellars well.
Easily one of the best wineries in the area is Felton Road and is a unique experience. Visitors must make a reservation if they would like to visit. A tour of the property and a tasting is complimentary. They produce the most amazing Pinot Noir.
Another hidden gem is Chard Farm. They have a wide variety of wines and produce all the main wines of the region. Peregrine is a quick stop that produces some amazing wines as well.
Marlborough
By Clemens from Travellers Archive
If you are a New Zealand wine lover, you have probably already come across the Marlborough wines. Marlborough produces over half of New Zealand’s wines and is one of the best wine regions in New Zealand. This includes Sauvignon Blanc, which is the trademark of the Marlborough region. This white grape variety from the Marlborough wine region is characterized by its particularly strong aroma and its typically spicy note. In every sip, you can taste a hint of pepper and gooseberry. Sounds good, right?
The Marlborough valleys were formed millions of years ago by a large glacier, which made today’s viticulture possible. The quality of the New Zealand white wines can also be attributed to the optimal conditions in nature. In no other area of New Zealand can you find longer hours of sunshine than at the northeastern end of the South Island. There are more than 150 wineries in Marlborough, many of which are open for visits and tastings.
Framingham Wines was our “surprise” winery on our way through Marlborough and our No. 1 most interesting winery in Marlborough. Framingham Wines offers a very nice facility with a great courtyard where you can sit and picnic. The wines are simply fantastic and the whole wine region is our favorite mainly because it looks like a picture book.
Nelson
By Lee-Ann McKenzie from Be Free with Lee
Shadowed by the success of its close neighbor Marlborough, Nelson is not always the first choice when it comes to visiting a New Zealand wine region. However, the stunning Nelson region is home to incredible boutique wineries worth a visit. It also has some of the best Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer in the country.
Nelson also has some delicious Pinot Noir and Chardonnays which are similar tasting to Marlborough but a little more elegant in style. One favourite wine from the Nelson region is a Pinot Noir. Moutere Hills contains the best wineries along the stunning country highway. My favourite red wine is from Kahurangi Estate. Further down the road is my next favourite, Neudorf. Known for its delicious Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Seifried is another winery worth visiting on Redwood Road closer to Nelson city. It is home to one of my favourite Gewurztraminer full of flavour and aromas.
I highly recommend trying wine from the Nelson region for its unique flavor. Nelson wines are similar to Marlborough. However, the weather is slightly cooler and there is higher rainfall which produces a more aromatic style of wine. The wine region is close together so if you are visiting, another plus is enjoying the boutique cafes and local art studios along the way.
Final Thoughts on the Best Wine Regions in New Zealand
As you can see these are some of the best wine regions in New Zealand. You could easily spend one trip to New Zealand just visiting the wine regions! Visiting New Zealand for the first time? Make sure to check out this 18-day itinerary that hits the highlights of New Zealand.
Check out these other wine regions around the world!
7 thoughts on “7+ of the Best Wine Regions in New Zealand: An Up and Coming Wine Scene”
Gimme all that New Zealand Pinot noir! We’ve yet to get out there, but it’s on the list once this is all over. And now that I know of the terrific wine times to be had there, all the more reason!
I LOVE New Zealand Pinot. It is so good! I found a decent deal last year and it was not as expensive as I thought it would be!
I visited Waiheke Island on my trip to NZ several years ago and LOVED it so much! I have to make a point to get back to NZ and visit some of the other ones!!
The other regions I visited were that much more amazing then Waiheke so you’ll have to try them out!
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I so love visiting the wineries in NZ, even as a non drinker, the wineries themselves are usually such beautiful architecture, and in the most stunning settings.