Distinctive terroir and a reputation for innovation and quality have given New Zealand’s wines an edge. To discover more about where they come from, visit these top wine regions.
Producing just one percent of the world's wine, New Zealand proves it’s not a question of how much, but how. The country's winemakers are among the world’s most sustainable, with 96% of the country’s vineyards accredited by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand. The industry is also defined by a focus on craft, with three-quarters of the country’s wine produced by boutique wineries and family farmers on vineyards occupying less space than Disneyland.
New Zealand has eight distinct wine regions, each characterised by unique soils and climatic conditions that are reflected in their wines. The country's premier wine regions – Marlborough, Central Otago, and Hawke’s Bay – have their own specialties and winemaking traditions. Marlborough, with its long sunshine hours and cool nights, produces rich, aromatic wines. Central Otago, the world's southernmost wine region, is celebrated for its pinot noir, which thrives in the cool climate. Whereas, Hawke's Bay is renowned for its full-bodied reds, including cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and chardonnay.
