Exploring New Zealand’s wine regions

Read time: 14 mins

Written by Chris, Programme Director

In 1819, a Yorkshire-born missionary named the Reverend Samuel Marsden planted around 100 grape vines near the settlement of Kerikeri in Northland, convinced that the local soil would be "favourable to the vine." It was, perhaps, one of the most prescient hunches in the history of viticulture. Two centuries on, and New Zealand is one of the most exciting wine-producing nations on earth – not in spite of its remoteness, but partly because of it.

We've been helping UK travellers explore New Zealand for over two decades at New Zealand Sky, and few things give us more pleasure than helping someone discover a country whose wine story is still, in many ways, being written. You can still visit the Marsden Estate, named in the reverend's honour just outside Kerikeri village, and raise a glass of Pinot Gris or Chardonnay while looking out across the shimmering lake. From there, you can spend days winding through the vineyards surrounding Auckland, before boarding the Interislander ferry to the South Island, where Blenheim and the Marlborough region awaits – arguably the spiritual home of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

What makes New Zealand wine so compelling is the sheer diversity packed into a long, narrow country flanked by two oceans. Mineral-rich soils, a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters, and a geography that stretches from the subtropics to near-Antarctic latitudes all combine to create conditions for genuinely distinctive wines. Sauvignon Blanc remains the figurehead variety, but Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay and aromatic whites are increasingly gaining the international recognition they deserve. On the North Island, grape harvesting typically begins from late February – several weeks earlier than the South, which tells you plenty about the climatic contrasts at play.

Wine touring here is among the most rewarding travel experiences we know. The cellar doors tend to be relaxed and genuinely welcoming – none of the formality you might encounter in, say, Burgundy or Napa. Most regions are entirely accessible by car, and many by bicycle. This guide walks you through the key wine regions of both islands, so you can plan your visit with a clear idea of what to expect – and what not to miss.

And yes – do raise a glass to the good Reverend Marsden when you get the chance.

What's in this guide?

North Island
Auckland
Waiheke Island
Bay of Plenty & Lake Taupo
Gisborne
Hawkes Bay
Northland
Wairarapa and Martinborough
South Island
Nelson Tasman
Canterbury
Central Otago
Marlborough
Waitaki Valley
Waipara Valley
How to plan your trip
FAQ

North Island Wine Regions

The North Island runs warmer and more humid than the south, with a climate that can challenge vine growers but equally produces wonderfully fertile conditions for certain varieties. It is also home to some of New Zealand's most historic wine stories.

Auckland

Auckland might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of wine country, but the region has quietly become one of New Zealand's most influential viticultural areas – and spending an afternoon touring its wineries is one of those unexpected pleasures that loyal travellers keep coming back for. The wet climate and varied terrain aren't exactly textbook vine-growing conditions, but they've never stopped ambitious producers here from crafting outstanding Chardonnay and intensely structured Cabernet blends.

Much of this has to do with the human story of the region. Many of Auckland's wineries were founded by passionate immigrants from Croatia, England and Lebanon in the early 20th century, and some are still run by those same families today. That continuity of care – of people who genuinely love what they make – comes through in the glass.

The Kumeu River district, just west of the city, is probably the most fashionable area and where you'll find some of the finest Chardonnay and Merlot in the country. Think boutique eateries, vine-covered hillsides and that lovely sense of being somewhere people actually live and work with the land, rather than somewhere designed for tourists. Matakana, about an hour north of the city, has a particularly balmy microclimate and produces some worthwhile Syrah and Pinot Gris.

For something genuinely left-field, Clevedon – about 30 minutes south of Auckland – is an emerging premium district well worth the detour. The Vin Alto vineyard produces several complex Italian-style wines, including a notably elegant Pinot Grigio, from vines planted alongside a deer farm. Their White Port spritzer is one of those things you taste once and then tell everyone about.

Coopers Creek in Kumeu is perfect for summer visits, when cellar door tastings spill out onto the lawn alongside BBQs, picnics and live jazz. Their Chardonnay and Riesling are both consistently excellent and worth seeking out.

Planning a self-drive tour of New Zealand? Auckland makes a superb starting point, allowing you to spend a couple of days in the wine country before hitting the road south.

Waiheke Island

Just 30 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland (or 45 minutes from Half Moon Bay), Waiheke Island has become one of the most talked-about wine destinations in New Zealand – and rightly so. Once you're ashore, you can get around by public bus, hire car or bicycle, though many visitors find that cycling between vineyards in the late afternoon sun, with glimpses of the Hauraki Gulf through the trees, is one of those simple travel pleasures you simply can't plan for.

The island's mineral-rich clay soils give reds like Merlot and Syrah real backbone and depth. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the most widely grown varieties, but there are also small parcels of Sauvignon Blanc and Malbec for the curious.

Awaroa Vineyard takes an organic, sustainable approach, with vines planted on gentle west-facing slopes where a Bordeaux-like climate encourages full, structured reds. The tasting room is small and intimate – exactly the kind of place where you end up in deep conversation with the winemaker.

Mudbrick is a boutique family winery perched with one of the most spectacular viewpoints on the island, looking out over the sea towards the Auckland skyline. Their Chardonnay is a must, and the setting alone makes this a highlight of any Auckland holiday.

Bay of Plenty & Lake Taupo

This part of the Central North Island is best known for its surf breaks, kiwi farms and the extraordinary thermal activity around Rotorua – but the local wine scene is quietly building a solid reputation too. A warm coastal climate, combined with the nutrient-rich volcanic soils left by centuries of geothermal activity, produces some characterful and quite distinctive Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, often with a fresh fruitiness that suits the laid-back lifestyle of the region.

One thing many visitors overlook: the Bay of Plenty is also home to several outstanding artisan cheese-makers. Pairing a local farmhouse cheese with a glass of Bay of Plenty Chardonnay in the open air is one of those perfect New Zealand moments.

Gisborne

Perched on the far easterly tip of the North Island, Gisborne is one of the first places in the world to greet each new day – a fact that locals are quietly proud of, and that has found its way into the region's wine-growing identity. Captain Cook made landfall here on his first Pacific voyage, and you can still see the monument to him on the Titirangi Reserve, a former Maori pa. The vineyards benefit from ample sunshine, protected from the worst of the weather by the ranges to the west.

It's worth noting that Gisborne is genuinely remote – you really do need a car to explore the wine country properly. But these wines are packed with personality, and producers here are doing things with Chardonnay that few others in New Zealand are attempting. There is also a notable range of Pinot Gris and some beautiful aromatic whites, including Riesling and Chenin Blanc, that are well worth seeking out.

Millton Vineyard, just outside the town centre, follows the biodynamic principles of philosopher Rudolf Steiner, working with the land's natural rhythms to produce wines of exceptional character, including barrel-fermented Chardonnay, Riesling, Malbec and Chenin Blanc. It's the kind of place that changes how you think about what wine can be.

Hawkes Bay

New Zealand's oldest wine region, and in our view one of its most rewarding to visit. The first vines were planted here by missionaries in the 1850s – long before Marlborough had been heard of – and today Napier and Hawkes Bay ranks among the country's premier foodie destinations. The warm, dry climate is ideally suited to reds: this is where Syrah really comes into its own, producing wines of a depth and spice that can genuinely rival examples from the northern Rhône.

The region also draws visitors for the extraordinary Art Deco architecture of Napier, rebuilt following the earthquake of 1931 and now one of the finest collections of the style in the world. Excellent food and drink festivals punctuate the calendar throughout the year, making timing your visit something worth thinking about. The long growing season here also means some exceptional dessert wines – a category that New Zealand doesn't always get credit for.

Sentry Hill produces award-winning fruit wines with the benefit of the volcanic terrain near Mount Taranaki. Non-wine drinkers are catered for with fresh apple cider and outstanding fruit juices – good to know if you're travelling in a mixed group.

The Mission Estate is New Zealand's oldest winery, established by French missionaries to produce sacramental wine in the 1850s. The restaurant terrace overlooking the estate gardens is sublime – request a table outside and linger as long as you can.

Te Mata Estate, surrounding one of the most photographed homesteads in New Zealand, exports to over 42 countries worldwide and produces around 40,000 cases a year. Its vines are among the first in the world to see sunrise each day – there's something genuinely poetic about that.

Northland

After Reverend Marsden's pioneering experiments, Croatian immigrants followed with their European techniques, before a Scot named James Busby became the first person to produce commercial wine in Northland. The region remains small in wine production terms, but it is expanding rapidly and offers a very different character to the regions further south – peppery Pinots, tropical and fruity Chardonnays that pair brilliantly with the outstanding local seafood, and a spicy Shiraz that lingers pleasantly.

If you're basing yourself in Auckland, Northland is feasible as a long day trip — most vineyards are within a few hours' drive. But honestly, that would mean missing out on the Bay of Islands, one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the southern hemisphere, where you can clink glasses on a sunset cruise between 144 islands and islets. Don't shortchange yourself.

Karikari Estate is New Zealand's northernmost winery, sitting on a peninsula where Maori legend holds that an early canoe, the Waipapa, first made landfall. The coastal panoramas here are extraordinary, and the full-bodied Chardonnay, Tannat and Merlot are made all the more enjoyable for it.

Wairarapa and Martinborough

Tucked at the southern tip of the North Island, just a short drive from breezy Wellington, the Wairarapa is a boutique wine region that consistently punches well above its weight. Martinborough in particular — a quiet, beautiful colonial settlement surrounded by family-run wineries — has become something of a pilgrimage for Pinot Noir enthusiasts, and for good reason. The wines coming out of here right now are some of the most exciting in the entire country.

What we love about Martinborough is that you can walk between most of the wineries. That changes the whole experience — you slow down, you talk to people, you end up somewhere unexpected. The harvest festival in nearby Gladstone during March is a wonderful time to visit, with local produce and aromatic wines taking centre stage.

At Nga Waka, the wines are crafted specifically to work with food — they're not designed to be tasted and assessed in isolation, but to be opened at a dinner table and thoroughly enjoyed. The Chardonnay and Riesling are consistently outstanding, and their Pinot Rosé is one of the most delicate and well-executed examples we've encountered in New Zealand.

Gladstone Vineyard sits on an old river terrace — naturally excellent terrain for vine growing — and its wines have accumulated a long and impressive list of awards. Bring a BYO picnic, pour a glass or two, and settle in for a game of pétanque in the vineyard garden. You won't want to leave.

Pair a Wellington holiday with a day trip to Martinborough — it's one of those combinations we recommend to almost everyone. Capital city culture in the morning, cellar door tranquillity by the afternoon.

South Island

The South Island has fewer wine regions than the North, but each one carries serious weight. These are landscapes you dream about — snow-capped mountains, glacial rivers, sun-drenched plains — and the wines they produce are nothing short of world-class.

Nelson Tasman

If ever a wine region encapsulated the New Zealand spirit of doing things beautifully and without fuss, it's Nelson Tasman. Tucked into the sunny northern tip of the South Island, just two hours by road from the Picton ferry, this is New Zealand's sunniest wine region — averaging around 2,400 hours of sunshine a year — and one of its most visually stunning.

The whole area has a bohemian, artisanal character: independent galleries, craft breweries, artisan eateries, and some of New Zealand's most spectacular national parks including Abel Tasman. This is a region that rewards slow travel, and it works wonderfully as part of a longer self-drive itinerary.

There are two sub-regions to be aware of: the warmer Moutere Hills and the cooler, drier Waimea Plains. You'll notice that many of the older Nelson vineyards have Germanic names — early settlers from Germany were among the first to plant vines here, bringing European techniques to this distinctly Southern Hemisphere landscape. The result is a diverse range of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Kina Beach Vineyard, overlooking the Tasman Sea, has been producing multi award-winning wines since 2003. The tasting sessions here are relaxed and genuinely informative, with excellent food pairing suggestions for each variety.

Canterbury

Where the Southern Alps descend to meet the wide Canterbury Plains, and the Pacific glitters to the east, this is one of New Zealand's most scenically dramatic wine regions. The climate is cool and dry with long, sun-drenched summers — near-ideal conditions for vine growing — and the wines reflect that: precise, characterful, and with excellent ageing potential.

Christchurch and Canterbury has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, and the reinvigorated city makes an excellent base for exploring the region's wine country. The Banks Peninsula sub-region is increasingly well-regarded, particularly for Pinot Noir and aromatic whites. Meniscus Wines, just outside Akaroa, grows its vines on the ancient crater rim of the extinct Banks Peninsula volcano, producing Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Riesling in a setting that is genuinely unlike anywhere else in New Zealand.

The Waipara Valley — technically a Canterbury microclimate, but so distinctive it deserves its own recognition — is covered separately below.

Central Otago

This is the one that gets wine people genuinely excited — and we completely understand why. Located just outside Queenstown, the world's adventure capital, Central Otago is the southernmost wine region on earth, sitting further south than any other wine-producing area on the planet. The climate is extreme by viticulture standards: short, fierce summers, harsh winters, and a dramatic temperature range between day and night. It sounds challenging, and it is — but those conditions are precisely what drives the extraordinary purity and complexity of the Pinot Noir produced here.

The sub-regions of Bannockburn, Gibbston and Bendigo each have their own character and are well worth exploring individually if you have the time. Wanaka — a stunning lakeside town about an hour from Queenstown — also has a growing reputation for exceptional wines, and combining a visit to the vineyards with a drive through historic Arrowtown (focal point of the 1860s gold rush) makes for a near-perfect day.

Rippon Estate in Wanaka is, by most accounts, one of the most beautiful vineyards in the world. The vines — some of the oldest in the region — tumble down to the edge of the lake, with the Southern Alps rising behind them. Biodynamic farming techniques have been applied here for decades, producing wines of exceptional complexity. Tastings are available year-round, and we genuinely recommend making this a priority.

Brennan Wines in the Gibbston sub-region offers some of the best Pinot Noir in Central Otago alongside a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere: pétanque on the lawn, cheese and charcuterie boards to accompany your tasting, and a genuinely warm welcome. Exactly the kind of place you spend twice as long as you planned.

If you're exploring Queenstown and Fiordland, weaving the Central Otago wine trail into your itinerary is something we'd strongly encourage. It's the perfect counterpoint to a morning of adventure activities.

Marlborough

The name that put New Zealand wine on the map, and still the one that most people think of first. Marlborough produces almost 80% of all New Zealand wine, and yet large-scale commercial production only really began in the early 1970s — a remarkable rise to global dominance in just 50 years. The story wasn't straightforward: the industry had to navigate a global wine glut in the 1980s and an outbreak of phylloxera that forced growers to rethink almost everything. What emerged from that adversity was a leaner, more market-focused industry that has never looked back.

The growing conditions here are close to ideal: consistently low rainfall, rarely severe frosts, free-draining stony soils in the Wairau Valley, and long, sunny days that allow grapes to ripen slowly and develop exceptional flavour. Sauvignon Blanc remains the region's calling card — herbaceous, zesty, with that unmistakeable freshness — but Pinot Noir is growing in stature year on year, and there are increasingly impressive rosés and aromatic whites to explore.

Brancott Estate was the first Marlborough vineyard to plant Sauvignon Blanc commercially, and has been accumulating awards ever since. In 1990, Queen Elizabeth II planted a vine here on a royal visit — and if it's good enough for her, it's good enough for us.

Cloudy Bay needs little introduction. Named by Captain Cook for the hazy appearance of the bay on his charts, it was one of the earliest Marlborough pioneers and helped define the international image of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Beyond wine tasting, you can take a helicopter tour of the vineyard, sail the Marlborough Sounds, or join a guided wild food foraging experience — all genuinely memorable activities.

Hunter's in Blenheim is the third icon of the region, and arguably the most historically important. Their first six wines all won awards — a feat that has never been replicated — and the story of how Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc rose to global prominence can't really be told without them.

Wairau River Wines has one of the loveliest cellar door settings in the region: tastings on a sun-warmed lawn alongside a family-run restaurant serving seasonal cuisine designed to match each wine. The family spent years supplying grapes to other producers before launching their own label, and that depth of experience shows in every bottle.

We have a wonderful selection of Marlborough hotels to base you in the heart of wine country — including the Bay of Many Coves, a beautifully positioned boutique resort in the Marlborough Sounds, and The Peppertree, a charming property in Blenheim itself.

Waitaki Valley, North Otago

One of New Zealand's most remarkable — and least known — wine regions. The Waitaki Valley sits on the 45th parallel south, equidistant between the equator and the South Pole, and the terroir here is quite unlike anything else in the country. The Waitaki River is fed by glacial meltwater from Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak, and the soils are laced with limestone in a way that immediately suggests parallels with Burgundy. To the east lies the wild South Pacific, providing cooling coastal breezes; to the west, the snow-capped Southern Alps act as a natural rain shield.

The result is a small but perfectly formed strip of vineyards producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of real body and complexity, alongside excellent aromatic whites like Riesling and Pinot Gris. This is genuinely uncharted territory for most visitors to New Zealand — and that's exactly why we love pointing people towards it.

Ostler produces excellent cool-climate wines from its own estate vines as well as fruit sourced from other local growers — an approach the winemakers describe as 'liquid geography', capturing the nuances of this very particular stretch of land in every bottle.

Black Stilt Wines is one of the more recent arrivals on the Waitaki scene, producing notably drinkable Pinot Gris alongside Pinot Noir and Riesling from densely planted terraces running down to the river. Every bottle sold contributes to the conservation of the Black Stilt wading bird, found nowhere else in the world. It's a small and lovely detail that reminds you how connected everything here is.

Waipara Valley

Technically a microclimate of Canterbury, but the wines emerging from the Waipara Valley are of such quality and distinctiveness that it would be unfair to simply fold them into a broader regional category. The first vines were planted as recently as the 1980s, so this is still something of a hidden gem — but not, we suspect, for much longer. The combination of limestone and gravelly loam soils, long warm summers, and naturally limited rainfall thanks to the Alps makes for conditions that are near-ideal for premium viticulture.

More than 70 vineyards and 20 wineries now operate here, most of them offering the kind of low-key, genuinely welcoming cellar door experience that is a hallmark of New Zealand wine culture. And being just a short drive north of Christchurch, it slips naturally into a South Island itinerary.

Pegasus Bay, owned by the pioneering Donaldson family who were among the very first to plant vines in the area, is one of the South Island's genuine must-visits. Nestled in the lee of the Teviotdale Range, just 30 minutes from Christchurch, its wines have received consistent critical acclaim and its restaurant is every bit as impressive as the cellar door.

Waipara Hills Estate produces wines of real texture and presence, with the aromatics and Riesling especially worth your time. It's the kind of winery that rewards return visits — there's always something new to try.

New Zealand Wine Touring: How to Plan Your Trip

This is where we see a lot of independent travellers go slightly wrong: trying to do too much, too fast. New Zealand is a long country — longer than the UK from tip to tip — and the wine regions are spread across both islands. The good news is that a well-planned two-to-three week itinerary can comfortably take in three or four key regions without feeling rushed.

One of our favourite routes is to fly into Auckland, spend a day or two exploring the city's wine country and perhaps take the ferry to Waiheke Island, then drive south through Hawkes Bay (stopping in Napier for the Art Deco architecture and the Mission Estate), before crossing to Wellington and catching the Interislander ferry to Picton. From there, Marlborough is on your doorstep, and you can work your way down the South Island through Nelson Tasman, Waipara Valley and Canterbury, before finishing in Queenstown with a foray into Central Otago. Our Auckland to Christchurch Boutique Self-Drive tour is designed precisely to make the most of this kind of journey — 19 nights, hand-picked boutique accommodation, and the flexibility to linger where you feel most at home.

Most wine regions are concentrated on the east coast of both islands, so maps and suggested routes are straightforward to follow. Almost all cellar doors welcome walk-ins, but for the more celebrated wineries — Cloudy Bay, Rippon, Pegasus Bay — it's worth calling ahead, especially during peak harvest season from February to April.

A word of practical advice: New Zealand's wine regions have genuinely got better at food in recent years, and many of the best winery restaurants now source hyperlocally — the lamb from a farm you can see from the tasting room, the cheese from a creamery down the road. Build time into your itinerary for long lunches, because some of the most memorable meals we've had in New Zealand have been outdoors, at a winery table, with a glass of something excellent and a view that makes you wonder why you ever go anywhere else.

Whether you're a serious wine enthusiast or someone who simply enjoys a good glass and wants to understand a little more about what's in it, New Zealand's wine regions reward curiosity. And we've been helping people discover them for more than two decades — so if you'd like a hand putting together the perfect itinerary, our team of specialists is always happy to talk it through.

Browse our full range of New Zealand Food & Wine Holidays to find the right trip for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to visit New Zealand's wine regions?

Harvest season — running roughly from late February on the North Island through to April in the South — is the most exciting time to visit, with the vineyards alive with activity and many estates hosting special events and tastings. That said, New Zealand wine touring is genuinely enjoyable year-round. Summer (December to February) brings the warmest weather and the liveliest cellar door atmosphere, while autumn brings cooler temperatures, stunning foliage and a little more peace and quiet. Winter visits are possible and can be atmospheric, but some smaller cellar doors reduce their opening hours, so it's worth checking ahead.

Do I need to book cellar door tastings in advance?

For the majority of New Zealand wineries, booking in advance isn't strictly necessary — the culture here is famously relaxed, and walk-in visitors are genuinely welcomed. That said, for some of the most popular estates (Cloudy Bay and Rippon Estate, for example), and particularly during harvest season, calling ahead is a sensible precaution. Our specialists at New Zealand Sky can also arrange private tastings and winery experiences as part of a tailored itinerary, which removes all the guesswork.

Which New Zealand wine region should I visit if I can only choose one?

Marlborough is the obvious answer for most people, and it earns that reputation — the sheer scale, quality and variety of what's on offer there is unmatched anywhere else in the country. But if you're a Pinot Noir devotee, Central Otago is arguably the more thrilling destination, and for a genuinely off-the-beaten-track experience, the Waipara Valley or Waitaki Valley will reward the effort handsomely. Our honest advice? Build at least two regions into your itinerary — the contrast between them is part of what makes a New Zealand wine holiday so special.

Can I combine a wine touring holiday with other activities in New Zealand?

Absolutely — and we'd actively encourage it. New Zealand's wine regions sit within some of the most spectacular landscapes on earth. Queenstown and Central Otago offer world-class adventure activities alongside the wine trail. Hawkes Bay and Napier pair wine tasting with outstanding Art Deco architecture. Nelson Tasman puts you on the doorstep of the Abel Tasman National Park and its famous coastal walk. And a self-drive holiday through the North and South Islands means you can thread iconic landmarks — Waitomo's glowworm caves, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Milford Sound — alongside your cellar door visits naturally. Take a look at our adventure holidays and self-drive tours for inspiration.

How do I book a New Zealand wine touring holiday with New Zealand Sky?

The simplest way is to call our team directly on 01342 310 581 (open 9am–7pm Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm Saturday to Sunday), who can talk through your interests, budget and available dates to build an itinerary around the regions and experiences that most appeal to you. You can also browse our curated Food & Wine Holidays and self-drive tours online, or submit an email enquiry if you'd prefer to start that way. We've been arranging New Zealand holidays for over 20 years, and we're genuinely proud of the itineraries we put together — especially for wine lovers.