The Wine regions of New Zealand extend 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
Wine Regions of The North Island:
Northland
Auckland
Matakana
Waiheke Island
Waikato-Bay of Plenty
Central North Island
Gisborne
Hawkes Bay
Wairarapa
Wine Regions of The South Island:
Nelson
Marlborough
North Canterbury
Waitaki Valley
Central Otago
Number of Wineries
744 (2022)
NZ Wineries by Category
Category 1 : Small Wineries – grape wine sales not exceeding 200,000 litres: 662
Category 2 : Medium Wineries – grape wine sales between 200,000 to 4 million litres: 66
Category 3 : Large Wineries – grape wine sales more than 4 million litres: 16
Number of Wineries by Region
Northland – 17
Auckland – 98
Waikato/Bay of Plenty – 6
Gisborne – 37
Hawke’s Bay – 107
Wairarapa – 67
Nelson – 37
Marlborough – 160
North Canterbury – 71
Central Otago – 137
Waitaki – 4
Other Areas – 3
Number of Wine Growers: 706
Producing Area: 41,603 Hectares
Grapes Crushed: 532,000 Tonnes
Total Production: 383 Million litres
For more detailed statistics visit https://www.nzwine.com/en/news-media/
(Source: New Zealand Wine Growers Annual Report 2022)
Click Link above to download the 2022 Annual Report (PDF format)