Wine country

New Zealand

Two long, narrow islands in a cool maritime climate, with Marlborough on the South Island growing most of the crop.

Where it is

Map data: Natural Earth

Martinborough
A small, dry district at the southern tip of the North Island, sheltered from the west by mountains.
Marlborough
A sunny, dry region at the northeast tip of New Zealand's South Island, known for pungent Sauvignon Blanc with passion fruit and green herbs.
Canterbury
A cool, dry plain on New Zealand's east coast, sheltered from rain by the Southern Alps.
Gisborne
A warm, fertile coastal plain in the east of New Zealand's North Island, planted mostly to white grapes.
Kumeu
A small, humid maritime district northwest of Auckland, especially associated with Chardonnay.
Nelson
A region at the top of New Zealand's South Island, sheltered from the west by mountains.
North Island
New Zealand's northern island, home to Hawke's Bay, Gisborne and Martinborough, known for Chardonnay, Syrah and Bordeaux-style red blends.
South Island
New Zealand's southern island, home to Marlborough and Central Otago, known for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Waipara Valley
A warmer pocket north of Christchurch, shielded from the coastal wind by a low range of hills.
Wairarapa
A cool, dry region at the southern end of New Zealand's North Island, sheltered by a mountain range.

Clos Henri
A Marlborough estate in New Zealand founded by the Bourgeois family, Sauvignon Blanc growers from Chavignol in Sancerre.
Greywacke
A Marlborough producer founded in 2009 by Kevin Judd, Cloudy Bay's winemaker for its first 25 years.
Kim Crawford
A New Zealand wine brand founded in 1996 by Kim and Erica Crawford, built on Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and now owned by Constellation Brands.

Reviewed by Gina Biernacki, Certified Sommelier, WSET Level 3 with Distinction.