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
The Wine Regions of The North Island are:
The Wine Regions of The South Island are:
Number of Wineries
717 (2020)
Number of Wineries by Region
Northland – 20
Auckland – 99
Waikato/Bay of Plenty – 9
Gisborne – 15
Hawke’s Bay – 100
Wairarapa – 67
Nelson – 38
Marlborough – 158
North Canterbury – 71
Central Otago – 133
Waitaki – 4
Other Areas – 3
Total 717
NZ Wineries by Category
Category 1 – grape wine sales not exceeding 200,000 litres – 624
Category 2 – grape wine sales between 200,000 to 4 million litres – 73
Category 3 – grape wine sales more than 4 million litres – 19
Total 717
Number of Wine Growers
694
Producing Area
39,935 Hectares
Grapes Crushed
457,000 Tonnes
Total Production
329 Million litres
For more detailed statistics visit https://www.nzwine.com/en/news-media/
(Source: New Zealand Wine Growers Annual Report 2020)
Click Link above to download the 2019 Annual Report (PDF format)