By Region

New Zealand's wine regions extend over 1,100 kilometres from the subtropical climate in Northland (35° S) down the country to the world’s most southerly vineyards in Central Otago (45° S).

With the exception of Central Otago, New Zealand's vineyards benefit from the moderating effect of our maritime climate with long sunshine hours and nights cooled by sea breezes. Even the vineyards of Central Otago are less than 120km from the coast.

Most of our wine regions are on the eastern coastlines of the North and South Islands. Many are sheltered in the rain shadow of mountains to the west and each region has its own unique soils and climatic conditions.

Within these diverse regions, sub-regional characteristics are highlighted in wines that are distinguished as being not just from the region, but also from a sub-region and terroir.