← Back to guides Country guide · 6 min read

New Zealand

A late starter that caught up fast. New Zealand's cool, ocean-influenced climate makes some of the world's most recognizable Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

History and overview

Because it is so remote and far from Europe, New Zealand came remarkably late to wine, even by Southern Hemisphere standards. The first vines were planted in 1819. The country soon faced phylloxera and, later, a temperance movement whose influence lasted into the 1960s.

During this time, many vines were planted with lower-quality hybrid varieties, chosen partly so the grapes could be sold as table grapes just in case. They weren't well suited to wine. These hybrids dominated New Zealand's vineyards into the 1960s and unfortunately gave its wine a reputation for inferior quality.

The 1970s brought a slow shift to Vitis vinifera, the classic European wine grape species. A government-sponsored vine pull scheme and the formation of important winegrower associations sped the shift up. Today, New Zealand Winegrowers (formed in 2002) leads the way in marketing, research and establishing the country's geographical indication system.

Climate

Because New Zealand is made up of islands, every vineyard is within 80 miles of the ocean. The sea keeps the climate cool, moderate and rainy. Mountain ranges create a rain shadow for vineyards on the eastern side, and many wine regions get high hours of sunshine alongside their higher rainfall.

Good to know: Cool temperatures and long, sunny growing seasons help grapes ripen slowly while keeping fresh acidity. That's the signature of New Zealand wine.

North Island

Wine production on the North Island is concentrated in its southern half.

Hawke's Bay

North Island · East coast

Hawke's Bay is the country's second-largest region and its most important for red wine. It's dry, with a wide variety of microclimates and soil types, so more subregions are expected to emerge, such as the well-known Gimblett Gravels. Hawke's Bay is best known for Chardonnay and Merlot.

Known for

  • Chardonnay
  • Merlot

Wairarapa

North Island · Southern tip

At the very southern end of the island, Wairarapa is world-renowned for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

Known for

  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Pinot Noir

Gisborne

North Island · East coast

Gisborne has shifted from bulk, less characterful white wines to well-known, higher-quality Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Known for

  • Chardonnay
  • Sauvignon Blanc

South Island

Nelson

South Island · Northernmost region

Nelson is cool and sunny, with high rainfall throughout the growing season. It's known for quality Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, as well as the alpine varieties Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer. The region is well suited to wine, but limited land and high real estate prices hold back how much it can produce.

Known for

  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Pinot Noir
  • Pinot Gris
  • Gewürztraminer

Marlborough

South Island · Northeast

Marlborough is arguably New Zealand's most famous region and makes more than two-thirds of the country's wine. It's best known for herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc, and it has also pushed into high-quality sparkling wine.

Known for

  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Sparkling wine

Central Otago

South Island · Southern interior

Central Otago is home to New Zealand's, and the world's, southernmost vineyards. Vines are planted at high elevations, where they get more sunlight and a large diurnal shift (the difference between day and night temperatures). The result is beautiful Pinot Noir with ripe fruit and high acidity.

Known for

  • Pinot Noir
Test yourself More guides