New Zealand's wine regions extend over 1,100 kilometers (750 miles) from the subtropical climate in Northland (35° S) down the country to the world’s most southerly vineyards in Central Otago (45° S).
With the exception of
Central Otago, New Zealand's vineyards benefit from the moderating effect of our maritime climate with long sunshine hours and nights cooled by sea breezes. Even the vineyards of
Central Otago are less than 120km, or 80 miles, from the coast.
Most of our wine regions are on the eastern coastlines of the North and South Islands. In the South Island the majestic Southern Alps run down the spine of the South Island and provide shelter from the prevailing westerly rains to protect the
Central Otago,
Waitaki Valley,
Waipara and
Marlborough wine regions.
The
Wairarapa / Martinborough wine region is influenced by the martime climate at the southern tip of the North Island whilst further north we find the warm coastal climates of the
Hawke's Bay,
Auckland and
Waiheke Island regions.
Each New Zealand wine region has its own unique soils and climatic conditions. Within these diverse regions, sub-regional characteristics are highlighted in vibrant wines that are distinguished as being not only from the region, but also from a sub-region and terroir.
At
wineNZ.com we bring together the best-of-the-best of New Zealand wine including the limited release, exclusive and boutique wines from the wineries of our finest winemakers.
