New Zealand extends 1,600km (1000 miles) from sub-tropical Northland (36° S) to the world’s most southerly grape growing region Central Otago (47° S). Vineyards benefit from the moderating effect of the maritime climate (no vineyard is more than 120km, or 80 miles, from the ocean) with long sunshine hours and nights cooled by sea breezes.
New Zealand wine is distinctive for its purity, vibrancy and intensity. The long ripening period – a result of cool temperatures – allows flavour development whilst retaining fresh acidity, a balance for which New Zealand wines are renowned.
There are a number of distinct major wine-growing regions spread throughout New Zealand, with the majority on the East coast of the Islands in the rain shadow of the mountains. Within these diverse regions, sub-regional characteristics are beginning to show through and wines are now being distinguished as being not just from a wine region, but from a sub-region and a place. We hope you enjoy discovering our regions and producers.
Source: New Zealand Winegrowers – nzwine.com
The Wine Regions of The North Island are:
Northland | Matakana | Auckland | Waiheke | Waikato – Bay of Plenty | Central North Island | Gisborne | Hawke’s Bay | Wellington-Wairarapa
The Wine Regions of The South Island are:
Nelson | Marlborough | North Canterbury | Waipara | Canterbury | Waitaki Valley| Central Otago
Map courtesy of NZ WINE Growers
Number of Wineries by Region
April 2012 WINERY REGION LIST
Northland 16, Auckland 117, Waikato/Bay of Plenty 15, Gisborne 25
Hawkes Bay 85, Wairarapa 61, Nelson 37, Marlborough 150, Canterbury/Waipara 69, Central Otago 118, Other Areas 10
Total 703
NZ Wineries by Category
Category 1 – grape wine sales not exceeding 200,000 litres, 622
Category 2 – grape wine sales between 200,000 to 4 million litres, 71
Category 3 – grape wine sales more than 4 million litres, 10
Total 703
(Source: New Zealand Wine Growers 2012)