Stop dreaming about New Zealand and go! SIP, DINE, STAY and PLAY - in our exceptional New Zealand wine regions

Stop dreaming about New Zealand and go!

SIP, DINE, STAY and PLAY
in our exceptional New Zealand wine regions

Visit the Vines

New Zealand is a country of vast and diverse
landscapes where you will find picture-
postcard wineries along dramatic coastlines,
tucked away in
lush valleys and draped amongst the rolling
hills of
our 10 major wine regions.

From cellar doors to winery restaurants, bike
trails to boutique vineyard
accommodation…stop dreaming about New
Zealand and go!

Discover, taste and experience the
storytelling and welcoming hospitality of our
New Zealand wineries.

SIP, DINE, STAY, PLAY around New Zealand wineries

SIP: visit New Zealand Cellar   DINE: in a New Zealand       STAY: among the vines     PLAY: New Zealand wine
Doors                           winery                                                 experiences

Explore our friendly cellar     From artisanal platters to   Discover vineyard         Bike trails, wine tours and
doors and discover your         indulgent long lunches,      cottages, lodges, and     tastings, there's
new favourite wine at the       the wineries of New          holiday homes - true      something for everyone in
many wineries                   Zealand are home to          hidden gems scattered     a New Zealand wine
throughout the country.         some of the most             throughout New            region.
                                outstanding dining           Zealand’s wine regions.
                                experiences.

International wine visitor statistics

Stop dreaming about New Zealand
and visit us any time of the year

                                    Marlborough NZ               Cloudy Bay

Visiting wineries in New Zealand is a year-round visitor experience

New Zealand wine regions

New Zealand's wine regions extend
1,100km (700 miles) from subtropical
Northland (35° S) down to Central Otago
(45° S) - home to some of the world’s
most southerly vineyards.

Our vineyards benefit from the
moderating effect of our maritime
climate (no vineyard is more than
120km, or 80 miles, from the ocean),
long sunshine hours and nights cooled
by sea breezes.

Winery experiences in Northland

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Rich in history and natural beauty, a visit to New
Zealand’s winterless north is sure to leave a lasting
memory. Within a few hours’ drive or quick flight from
Auckland, visitors can explore Northland’s boutique
wineries set in breathtaking landscapes. The wineries of
Northland can be found in areas with incredible visitor
experiences such as Mangawhai, Whangarei, Bay of
Islands, and Kerikeri, providing endless opportunities to
enjoy wine on a boat, at a beach, or in the bush.

Winery experiences in Auckland

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Auckland is not only New Zealand’s largest city, it is also a large and diverse wine
region, with visitor experiences to reflect this. The three sub-regions each have their
own individual personalities, both in winestyles and character. Located within an hour
of Auckland city, Matakana is the creative north, West Auckland is rolling hills and
rugged coast, and Waiheke is the island of wine. Some stellar wineries fall outside of
these three sub-regions, so be sure to check them out on the visit page so as not to
miss a thing.

Matakana
45 minutes North of Auckland city lies the Matakana Coast Wine Country, a
community known for high quality produce and quality art galleries.

West Auckland
30 minutes west of Auckland city is the town of Kumeu, home to the wineries of West
Auckland.

Waiheke
A 40-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland lands visitors on Waiheke, the island
of wine.

Winery experiences in the Waikato / Bay of Plenty

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Waikato
There is much that draws visitors to the Waikato region
including hobbits, glow worms, cycling, and of course, wine!
Given its accessibility from both Auckland and Hamilton, it’s
easy to discover what makes Waikato so magical.

Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty is an iconic New Zealand region to visit, whether
you’re after pure adventure or pure relaxation. A visit to this
region means pairing your wine with gondola rides, mountain
biking, a soak in the hot pools, or a day at the beach. Bay of
Plenty is accessible via a scenic drive or quick flight from
Auckland.

Winery experiences in Gisborne

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Gisborne’s high amount of sunshine not only attributes to
robust wine growing conditions, but also makes this region a
stellar place to visit. The award-winning wineries of this
region are close neighbors, both in proximity and community,
and can all be reached within 15 minutes from city center or
Gisborne Airport. This accessibility allows visitors to take their
time, relax, and savour the region’s highly acclaimed wines.
This cool little surf town is full of cafes, shops and galleries,
and has an abundance of options for nature lovers including
trekking, fishing, surfing, and cycling.

Winery experiences in Hawke’s Bay

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Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s second largest wine producing
region, and has a bounty of cellar doors, winery restaurants,
vineyard accommodation, and experiences to show for it. This is a
dream destination for wine lovers, easily accessible via the Napier
Airport. The region offers a plethora of ways to experience the
highly-accoladed wines of the region, from well-developed cycle
trails, to architecture and wine tours in classic cars. The diversity
in wine styles is matched by the diversity in landscape, as the
region’s wineries and tasting rooms are scattered throughout
plains, mountain peaks and valleys, and coastal cliffs. Wine and
food is a way of life in Hawke’s Bay, celebrated with festivals,
markets, and events throughout the year.

Winery experiences in Wairarapa

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The Wairarapa is easily accessible from the capital city of Wellington,
just over an hour’s drive through scenic country. Getting here is easy
enough for a day trip, but visitors will quickly learn there is much
more to experience than can be done in one day. Between
Martinborough, Gladstone, and Masterton, the cellar doors are very
accessible and some even walking distance from one another. Many
of the wineries are small producers and the chance of having a
conversation with the winemaker is something that draws visitors.
For a truly unique experience, stay at one of the abundant vineyard
accommodation options and hear the stories of the people, the wine,
and the region. The region is famous for its premium Pinot Noir, but
one of the real treats is discovering something lesser known and very
special.

Winery experiences in Marlborough

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Marlborough is a wine-lovers dream destination, as visitors can
be sipping at the cellar doors within minutes of touching down
at the Blenheim Airport. Alternatively, many visitors opt to enter
the region via Picton aboard the incredibly scenic Cook Strait
ferry, then enjoying the stunning 30-minute drive to Blenheim.

Marlborough is not only about world famous Sauvignon Blanc
from New Zealand’s largest winegrowing region, but also about
fresh seafood sought by the world’s finest chefs, as well as
diverse landscapes from valleys of vines to sheltered waterways.
Visitors can join a wine tour, hire a bike, or even set out on foot in
some areas, choosing from more than 30 cellar doors and tasting
award winning wines along the way, almost all within a 10-
minute drive from each other.

Winery experiences in Nelson

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The Nelson Tasman region has an enviable Mediterranean and sunny
climate that allows visitors to explore and enjoy all year round. The region
is home to a prominent artisan community with an abundance of
wineries, breweries, artists, galleries and cafes. Nelson Tasman also
delivers an exceptional outdoor scene with plenty of hiking, kayaking,
cycling, fresh seafood and fishing, three national parks, and two of New
Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’.

Visitors will find remarkable wine experiences spread across two sub-
regions; the Waimea Plains and the Moutere Hills. These two sub-regions
not only have their own unique growing conditions, but also their own
unique character of wineries, restaurants, accommodation, and wine
tours. Although the Hills and Plains are within minutes of each other, it is
recommended to spend a day or two exploring each on its own for a
memorable wine holiday.

Winery experiences in North Canterbury

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North Canterbury is an essential New Zealand wine
destination for those looking to discover some real hidden
gems. The cellar doors of North Canterbury are all within
easy reach of the Christchurch Airport, ensuring you’re
sipping wine shortly after touch down. Many are located
north of Christchurch in the Waipara Valley, a boutique
wine growing region that recently developed a new cycle
trail connecting several of the area’s cellar doors. Others
are sprinkled throughout the Canterbury Plains, where you
can expect to taste some premium New Zealand wines.

Winery experiences in Central Otago

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Central Otago is New Zealand’s southernmost wine region, and is home
to large mountains, pristine lakes, and dramatic skies. Easily accessible
through Queenstown Airport, any season is a good time to visit Central
Otago. Cozy up to the fire with a glass of Pinot Noir after hitting the
slopes in the winter, or cycle to the wineries for some earned indulgence
in the summer. Exceptional dining options are endless in Queenstown
and Central Otago, and the winery restaurants set the precedent in fine
dining. Luxury vineyard villas and accommodation are located across
each of the six sub-regions of Central Otago and have unique and
compelling wine tours and cellar doors, providing much to be
discovered in this part of the South Island.

Winery experiences in Waitaki Valley

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Discover the Waitaki Valley, a region offering natural geological
marvels, historic treasures, iconic photo opportunities and outright
adventure! Waitaki Valley overflows with natural beauty from the
Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean, rich in culture and heritage and
brimming with activities for all types of explorers.

Flanked by the cool south Pacific Ocean to the east and the high
peaks of the Southern Alps to the west, the Waitaki River is one of
New Zealand’s largest, draining the waters of our highest mountain
- Aoraki-Mount Cook.

With vines first planted in 2001, it’s a relatively new wine region but
the complex limestone/greywacke/schist soils have attracted the
passions of a handful of adventurous and focused producers.

Discover your favourite New Zealand winery

From cellar doors, winery restaurants, and
bike trails to boutique vineyard
accommodation, discover something new in a
New Zealand wine region at
nzwine.com/visit.

Looking for ideas for a trip around
New Zealand wine regions?
Check out our short break guides for the
perfect getaway.

Any enquiries please contact:
Keri Edmonds, Wine Tourism Manager
keri.edmonds@nzwine.com