Warm spring temperatures, hot dry summers, and calm, clear autumn days allow fruit to ripen early, creating full-bodied and rich wines.
Its northern location and close proximity to the sea (nowhere is more than 50 kilometres from the ocean) give the Northland region an almost subtropical climate.
The first vines in New Zealand were planted in the Bay of Islands by the missionary, Reverend Samuel Marsden in 1819.
In the late 1800s, the Croatian gum-diggers arrived bringing their European tradition of winemaking.
The region’s tropical Chardonnays, popular Pinot Gris and vibrant Viogniers are leading the white wine growth. Red wines produced include spicy Syrahs, stylish Cabernet and Merlot blends, peppery Pinotages and complex Chambourcin.
Stretching from Karikari in the north to Mangawhai in the south, each vineyard in Northland is unique in aspect, soil, and micro-climate.
Northland’s grape vines receive more heat to assist grape ripening during the growing season than any of the country’s other wine-growing regions.
Source: New Zealand Winegrowers – nzwine.com
Wineries and Vineyards of the Northland Region
A
144 Islands – https://www.144islands.co.nz
B
Boulder Bay Wines – https://boulderbaywines.co.nz
Brooke Lane Vineyard – http://www.brookelanevineyard.com
C
Cottle Hill Winery – http://www.cottlehill.co.nz
D
Dancing Petrel Wines – https://dancingpetrel.co.nz
F
Fat Pig Vineyard – https://fatpigvineyard.co.nz/
G
Gravel Down Wine – https://www.graveldownwine.com
K
Kainui Road Vineyard – http://www.kainuiroad.co.nz
Karikari Estate – http://www.karikariestate.co.nz
L
Lochiel Estate – http://www.lochielestate.co.nz
M
Mahinepua Bay Wines – https://www.mahinepuabaywines.co.nz/
Marsden Estate – http://www.marsdenestate.co.nz
Morepork Vineyard – http://moreporkvineyard.co.nz/
O
Okahu Estate – http://www.okahuestate.co.nz
Omata Estate – http://www.omata.co.nz
P
Paroa Bay Winery – https://www.thelindisgroup.com/paroabay
R
Rogue Vine Vineyard – https://roguevinevineyard.com
S
Sovrano Estate – https://www.sovranoestate.co.nz/
T
Te Whai Bay Wines – https://www.tewhaibaywines.co.nz/
The Landing Wine – http://www.thelandingwine.co.nz