New Zealand Grape Plantings
Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Noir Chardonnay Pinot Gris Merlot Riesling SyrahSource: OIV Note de conjoncture mondiale 2017
New Zealand Wine Regions
New Zealand is renowned both for its stunning landscapes and its diverse wine regions.
Even with a small wine production, compared to other countries, New Zealand has gained international recognition for its high-quality wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Whether you're a fan of crisp Sauvignon Blanc, elegant Pinot Noir, or rich Bordeaux-style blends, New Zealand has something to offer for every wine enthusiast.
Image credit: New Zealand Winegrowers
Marlborogh, South Island (29.000 ha)
Climate: Sunny and cool, with a significant diurnal temperature range.
Notable: Internationally famous for its distinctively crisp Sauvignon Blanc.
Located at the northeastern tip of the South Island, Marlborough is the largest and most famous wine region in New Zealand.
Marlborough is primarily known for its world-class Sauvignon Blanc, characterized by its vibrant tropical fruit flavors and crisp acidity.
The Wairau Valley and the Awatere Valley are two key sub-regions within Marlborough, each offering unique terroirs and microclimates.
| Sauvignon Blanc (23.850 ha) |
| Pinot Noir (2.750 ha) |
| Pinot Gris (1.250 ha) |
| Chardonnay (1.100 ha) |
Hawke's Bay, North Island (4.800 ha)
Climate: Warm and dry, with a diverse range of soils.
Notable: Known the Gimblett Gravels sub-region, which produces premium red wines.
Located on the eastern coast of the North Island, Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's oldest wine region and has a diverse range of microclimates.
Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's second largest wine region. The wine production began in the 1850s when a Marist priests from Lyon in France, planted the first vines. Today there are over 40 wineries in the region.
Hawke's Bay is known for its Bordeaux style red wines, and the region also produces exceptional Chardonnay, as well as some excellent Sauvignon Blanc.
The Gimblett Gravels sub-region within Hawke's Bay is particularly well-known for its unique stony soils, which produce intensely flavored red wines.
| Chardonnay (1.050 ha) |
| Sauvignon Blanc (1.000 ha) |
| Merlot (1000 ha) |
| Pinot Gris (700 ha) |
| Syrah (350 ha) |
| Pinot Noir (250 ha) |
| Cabernet Sauvignon (200 ha) |
Central Otago, South Island (2.000 ha)
Climate: Continental, with hot summers and cold winters.
Notable: Renowned for its high-quality Pinot Noir.
Situated in the southern part of the South Island, Central Otago is renowned for its stunning alpine landscapes and distinctive cool-climate wines.
Central Otago is most famous for its Pinot Noir, which thrives in the region's schist soils and continental climate. Some of New Zealand's very best Pinot Noir are produced here.
The area also produces excellent white wines, including Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris.
Central Otago is the southernmost wine-growing region in the world, making it one of the most unique wine regions globally.
| Pinot Noir (1650 ha) |
| Pinot Gris (170 ha) |
| Chardonnay (90 ha) |
| Riesling (60 ha) |
| Sauvignon Blanc (40 ha) |
Canterbury, South Island (1.500 ha)
Climate: Cool with low rainfall.
Notable: The Waipara Valley is recognized for its high-quality Rieslings.
"Canterbury’s stunning Waipara Valley is one of the unsung heroes of the wine industry"
BOB CAMPBELL MW, 2004, AIR NZ INFLIGHT MAGAZINE
| Pinot Noir (450 ha) |
| Sauvignon Blanc (400 ha) |
| Riesling (275 ha) |
| Pinot Gris (200 ha) |
| Chardonnay (100 ha) |
Gisborne, North Island (1.250 ha)
Climate: Warm and sunny.
Notable: Often called the "Chardonnay Capital of New Zealand."
Located on the eastern coast of the North Island, Gisborne is one of the warmest and sunniest wine regions in New Zealand.
Gisborne is known for its aromatic white wines, particularly Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.
The region also produces some excellent Pinot Gris and Viognier, as well as small amounts of red varieties such as Merlot and Malbec.
| Chardonnay (600 ha) |
| Pinot Gris (300 ha) |
Wairarapa, North Island (1.100 ha)
Climate: Cooler climate, with significant diurnal temperature variation.
Notable: Includes the Martinborough sub-region, which is highly regarded for its Pinot Noir.
| Pinot Noir (525 ha) |
| Sauvignon Blanc (400 ha) |
Nelson, South Island (1.050 ha)
Climate: Moderately warm and sunny.
Notable: Known for its boutique wineries and organic wine production.
Situated at the northwestern tip of the South Island, Nelson is a boutique wine region known for its artisanal producers and diverse range of grape varieties.
Nelson vineyards concentrate on grape varieties suited to cooler conditions.
Nelson produces outstanding aromatic white wines, including Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris.
The region also excels in crafting elegant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
| Sauvignon Blanc (625 ha) |
| Pinot Noir (165 ha) |
| Pinot Gris (110 ha) |
| Chardonnay (110 ha) |
Auckland, North Island (250 ha)
Climate: Warm and humid.
Notable: One of New Zealand's oldest wine regions. Established in the early 1900s by passionate Croatian, Lebanese and English winemakers.
Aukland is known for its Bordeaux Blend varieties (70% Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc) but also for its Chardonnay and Syrah.
The region includes sub-regions like Waiheke Island, known for high-quality reds, and Kumeu, renowned for its Chardonnay.
| Chardonnay (70 ha) |
| Syrah (50 ha) |
| Pinot Gris (35 ha) |
| Merlot (33 ha) |
| Cabernet Franc (18 ha) |
| Cabernet Sauvignon (18 ha) |
Northland, North Island (75 ha)
Climate: Sub-tropical. One of the warmest wine regions in New Zealand.
Notable: New Zealand's first wine region, dating back to the 1800s.
| Chardonnay (20 ha) |
| Syrah (15 ha) |
| Pinot Gris (10 ha) |
| Merlot (5 ha) |
Waitaki Valley, South Island (60 ha)
A new wine region (2001).
Complex limestone/greywacke/schist soils
have attracted of a handful of passionate producers
| Pinot Noir (25 ha) |
| Pinot Gris (15 ha) |
| Riesling (10 ha) |
| Chardonnay (5 ha) |
Planting in Hectares
Sauvignon Blanc has had an enormous growth in the 21st century.
Driven by the Marlborough region, the area has expanded from 4.500 hectares in 2003 to 23.000 hectares in 2020 (26.500 hectares in 2022).
New Zealand vineyard area by grape 1990 – 2020:
| Sauvignon Blanc | Pinot Noir | Pinot Gris |
| Chardonnay | Riesling | Syrah |
| Cabernet | Merlot | Other |
A more than 5 times growth of Sauvignon Blanc is evident.
A doubling of Pinot Noir, a tripling of Syrah, and a rapid growth of Pinot Gris is visible.
Riesling and Chardonnay are unchanged, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot have declined.
Statistics from New Zealand Winegrowers annual reports.
New Zeeland is New World
New WorldWhere wine grapes was imported |
| USA |
| Argentina |
| Australia |
| Chile |
| South Africa |
| New Zealand |
Chilean vineyard in the foothills of the Andes