Wine Country

Mention a wine tasting vacation and most people think of France’s burgundy region, Germany’s Rhineland or California’s Napa Valley. Few would think of New Zealand.

Nestled deep in the South Pacific, New Zealand seems an unlikely wine producing country. Far better known as a producer of dairy and meat products, it evokes images of sheep grazing on rugged mountain slopes and vast expanses of emerald green meadows.

Closer examination, however, reveals that vineyards and wineries are as common a sight as the millions of sheep and cattle that dot the landscape. There are, in fact, ten established wine regions in New Zealand producing a diverse collection of cool climate wines with distinctive varietal flavours and boutiques.

Increasingly, these wines are collecting gold medals at international competitions. New Zealand Sauvingon Blanc is in great demand worldwide, while the Chardonney, Reisling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvingon, and Merlot are gaining fast recognition. Many major airlines (Air New Zealand, British Airways) now feature these wines on their international flights, providing a pleasant and enjoyable surprise for their passengers.

From the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island, there are over 300 wineries that offer wine tasting, tours and cellar sales. Many provide dining facilities – ranging from picnic areas to five star restaurants.

The main wine regions (from north to south) are Northland, Auckland, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Wellington in the North Island, and Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, and Central Otago in the South Island .

The best time to visit is January / February when it is summer (remember this is the southern hemisphere) and the vineyards are emerald green. Check in at each regions tourist center to find out more about their wineries. Most regions offer wine tours and trail maps.

For more information, check out this website: New Zealand Wine