Where to drink wine in New Zealand is definitely a question you should be asking if you ever visit Aotearoa. This beautiful country is home to some of the best wines in the world. Read on for my guide on where to drink wine in New Zealand.
Marlborough
Marlborough is perhaps the most famous wine region in New Zealand. And not without good reason! This is where you can find some of New Zealand’s finest Sauvignon Blanc wines (“Sav” in Kiwi speak). Some wine writers have even described the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc as the best in the world. Definitely a good enough reason to visit for me! Marlborough is also one of the sunniest regions in the country. My favourite spot is the garden at Cloudy Bay Vineyards. They also do really good food. Enjoy a wine tasting with a plate of fresh oysters or a charcuterie board. Cloudy Bay also offer private tours of the vineyard. For those with deep pockets, try the luxurious Sip & Sail wine cruise aboard an elegant 54-foot sailing yacht.
Waipara (Canterbury Region)
You don’t need to venture far from Christchurch to find good wine. The Waipara area is famous for producing Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay. The best way to visit this region is by booking a guided tour with Cheeky Wine Tours. A 100% Kiwi-owned company, Cheeky Wine Tours will transport you around a number of Waipara wineries so you can sample as much fine wine as you like without worrying about needing to drive. Many of the wineries are family-owned, making this a very authentic Kiwi experience.
Waiheke Island
If you find yourself in Auckland, don’t fret! There’s good wine up on North Island too. My absolute favourite is Waiheke Island. Catch a ferry from central Auckland and this will take you to the most dreamy island, covered in vineyards. There are plenty to choose from, but I recommend Mudbrick. The views from up there are fabulous.
Central Otago
Down in the deep south is where you’ll find the most sumptuous Pinot Noir wines. The nearest airport is Queenstown (a fab destination in itself). Known for mountains and fast-flowing rivers, Central Otago is stunning to explore. The landscape is dotted with wineries where you can stop in and sample the best this region has to offer. Dark, velvety and fruity, these Southern wines make a nice contrast to the more famous New Zealand whites. Again, many of these wineries are family-owned. I’m a big fan of MAUDE wines. Two Paddocks, owned by Sam Neill (yes – Sam Neill of Jurassic Park fame!) is also delicious.
Hawkes Bay
I haven’t been to Hawkes Bay yet, but I have tried some of their wines. And I can confirm they are delicious! So this region is next on my list to visit. I’m a big fan of Theory & Practice Syrah by Ant Mackenzie Wines. Situated on the East coast of North Island, Hawkes Bay is one of the oldest wine-growing regions in New Zealand. It is famous for Chardonnay and red blends like Syrah.
Read my other posts about New Zealand here: https://www.calloftheworld.com/category/oceania/new-zealand/
For more information on New Zealand wine we also recommend:
https://www.marlboroughwinenz.com/
https://www.cheekywinetours.com/
https://www.fullers.co.nz/destinations-and-experiences/destinations/waiheke-island/
I’ve had Cloudy Bay wines, but never been to the vineyard. It looks incredible!! As do all of these spots!
Love a good wine! We get New Zealand wine in our shops but are not well trained on them. If I visit a wine region, I always visit a vineyard or two to see what ia available. So much good wine never hits the shops in Central Europe. I would definitely look into these vineyard tours if I were in New Zealand! Thank you for sharing.