Best Wine Regions to Visit in New Zealand: A Guide for Wine Lovers

For a small island nation at the bottom of the world, New Zealand consistently produces some of the finest wines on the global stage. From coastal vineyards kissed by sea spray to dramatic alpine valleys, each wine region in New Zealand offers its own distinct character, climate, and flavour profile.

Having spent time working in the wine industry during Covid, I’ve developed some very personal favourites - and a few opinions that may lean slightly off the beaten track. Below are, in my view, the best wine regions to visit in New Zealand, ranked by the wine variety each region does best.

Reds

Bordeaux Blends — Hawke’s Bay

Warm, sun-drenched, and shaped by salty coastal air, Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s undisputed home of Bordeaux-style red blends. The region produces powerful, age-worthy wines that rival some of the best in the world.

Award-winning Craggy Range leads the charge with Sophia, a premium blend built for longevity. One of the region’s most exciting Cabernets comes from the rising Smith & Sheth, founded by Steve Smith MW - one of only a handful of Masters of Wine in New Zealand and known for his role in establishing Craggy Range and Brian Sheth. Their Heretaunga Cabernet Franc is beautifully perfumed with violets, roses, and raspberry, underpinned by Gimblett Gravels stone and dust.

Beyond blends, Hawke’s Bay also excels in Chardonnay. Notable mentions include Čuvar Vineyard’s award-winning Chardonnay and Te Mata Estate’s Elston Chardonnay. Complete your stay in the region with vineyard accommodation at Craggy Range or Black Barn Retreats for the full wine-country experience.

Image courtesy of Hawke's Bay Tourism

Pinot Noir — Central Otago

Once thought impossible due to its harsh, cold climate, Central Otago Pinot Noir is now internationally acclaimed as one of the finest expressions of the variety outside France. This dramatic alpine region produces wines of intensity, elegance, and structure.

Monte Christo Winery in Clyde, considered the birthplace of Pinot Noir in New Zealand, is a must-visit. Planted in 1864, their Pinot offers bright red fruit, earthy savoury notes, and a long, linear finish - best enjoyed in their atmospheric wine cave.

Further along the road is Bannockburn, a mecca of word class Pinot Noir. Visit Te Kano for sweeping views over the valley, enjoy a day cycling along the Dunstan Trail to finish at Carrick Winery or stop by the Bannockburn Hotel – home to a wine list of over 200 bottles, 40-80 of which can be enjoyed by the glass.

One of my personal highlights is Cox’s Vineyard in Gibbston Valley, a tiny single-vineyard producer making Pinot Noir with dark spice, smoky aromatics, and serious depth. These wines are only available at the vineyard, making this a true wine-lover’s bucket-list stop.

Complete your Central Otago winery experience amongst the vines with an overnight stay at Monte Christo or Kinross Winery.

Image courtesy of Geoff Marks

Whites

Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough

Framed by the Queen Charlotte, Pelorus, and Kenepuru Sounds, Marlborough is New Zealand’s most internationally recognised wine region, and for good reason. While the region is synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc, forget overly green or grassy stereotypes.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is aromatic, vibrant, and layered. Even as a red wine drinker, I can’t deny its charm. For first-timers, Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc is my top recommendation, offering passionfruit, red apple, mandarin peel, and crisp green pear. Cloudy Bay follows closely, remaining a benchmark for the region.

Extend your visit with a vineyard stay at The Marlborough or Hans Herzog Estate, where fine wine and refined accommodation go hand in hand.

Image courtesy of Destination Marlborough

Chardonnay — Waipara, North Canterbury

Often overshadowed by its neighbour, Marlborough, the Waipara Valley in North Canterbury quietly produces some of the best Chardonnay in New Zealand and is frequently compared to those in Burgundy. What stands out for me in this region is its passion for a strong organic and biodynamic focus.

Black Estate Chardonnay leans towards a Riesling-like profile, with white florals, stone fruit, fine acidity, and a distinctive cool-climate edge. Greystone’s Organic Chardonnay, a consistent award winner, delivers ripe stone fruit flavours balanced by beautifully integrated oak.

Also worth seeking out are Pegasus Bay’s elegant Riesling and George Road Wines’ Pinot Gris, both excellent expressions of the region. If you’re looking to spend some time here, immerse yourself in a PurePod stay at Greystone Valley and watch the sunset into stars in the Dark Sky Reserve.

Image courtesy of Christchurch NZ

Pinot Gris — Wairarapa

The Wairarapa, and particularly Martinborough, is known for vibrant, fruit-forward Pinot Gris. Ata Rangi’s Lismore Pinot Gris delivers layers of stone fruit, walnut, cinnamon, and subtle beeswax, while Johner Estate offers juicy acidity and a beautifully balanced finish.

This region is perfect for both seasoned wine lovers and those early in their wine journey. Spend your days tasting and your evenings under the stars in the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve.

Image courtesy of Jeff Mcewan, Wellington NZ

Riesling — Nelson

Nelson produces some of New Zealand’s most aromatic and expressive Riesling, thanks to its sunny climate and stony soils.

Seifried Estate’s Old Coach Road Riesling is a regional classic - medium-sweet, with fermentation stopped just before dryness to retain natural residual sugar. Kahurangi Estate, home to some of the oldest Riesling vines in the South Island (planted in 1973), offers bold flavours ranging from dry to medium-sweet, with bright citrus and stone fruit.

Nelson remains one of New Zealand’s most underrated wine regions - and now is the perfect time to visit before the secret gets out.

Image courtesy of Nelson Tasman

Special Variety

Rosé — Waiheke Island, Auckland

This may be a controversial pick, as Waiheke Island isn’t traditionally known for rosé - but for me, this island does it beautifully and is where my journey with Rosé all began. There’s something undeniably romantic about enjoying a French-style rosé in the height of summer, with warm sunshine, salty sea air, and vineyard views rolling down to the ocean.

I’ll admit some bias here: Man O’War’s Pinque Rosé is the wine that converted me to rosé in the first place. Light, crisp, and coastal, with strawberry and watermelon undertones, it’s the perfect summer wine - especially when enjoyed at their beachfront winery. Other standouts include Mudbrick Vineyard, offering a vibrant rosé with fresh fruit and citrus notes, and Tantalus Estate for those who enjoy a slightly sweeter style, with flavours of red berries, pink grapefruit, and Tahitian lime.

Rosé aside, Waiheke Island is a must-visit wine destination, best known for its Bordeaux-style blends and elegant Syrah. With over 30 boutique wineries, just 30 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland, Waiheke is essential for any wine lover visiting New Zealand.

Image courtesy of Auckland NZ

Special Mention — Méthode Traditionnelle, Wānaka

Champagne by another name. While there are excellent examples across the country - including Smith and Sheth CRU Méthode Blanc de Noir (Hawkes Bay), Nautilus Cuvée Brut (Marlborough) and Mora Brut NV (Central Otago) - I couldn’t resist highlighting my favourite bubbles.

From my hometown of Wānaka (yes, again, perhaps biased), Maude Méthode Traditionnelle is a beautifully moreish blend of lemon blossom, brioche, and almond. Their scenic tasting room overlooking Lake Wānaka is a perfect stop for a glass of bubbles and a bite to eat.

Whatever your palate, New Zealand’s wine regions promise depth, diversity, and discovery. From iconic producers to hidden gems, these regions reward those willing to explore beyond the obvious.

Speak with our New Zealand-based team about designing your ultimate Aotearoa wine journey, with access to off-the-beaten-track vineyards, private tastings, and meet-the-winemaker experiences curated by local experts.