New Zealand’s viticulture is world-renowned. The country has become one of the top destinations for wine lovers, especially when it comes to award-winning varietals like Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough and Pinot Noir from Central Otago. Its wine-producing regions are highly distinctive and definitely worth a visit if you’re interested in learning more about the process and doing some tasting.
If you’re visiting New Zealand or simply want to explore what the country has to offer, wineries are an excellent destination that you should check out. The country has lots of award-winning wines, and you can learn a lot about how wine is made and what goes into producing each bottle. In this article, we’ll be giving you a taste of some of New Zealand’s best wineries. We’ll get things off by giving you a taste of 10 of the country’s top wineries. For more fun things to do in New Zealand, I’d highly recommend you read this review of Jackpot City casino by bonus.net.nz.
Brancott Estate, Marlborough
Brancott Estate is known for producing the first Sauvignon Blanc in the Marlborough area in the 1970s. By the 1980s, the vineyard was ready to take New Zealand’s wine industry to the next level. By winning the coveted Marquis de Goulaine trophy at the 21st International Wine & Spirit Competition, Brancott showed to the world the potential of New Zealand wineries. Wine tastings give you a taste of this fascinating history of this area. You’ll also be able to find out what makes this part of the South Island such an ideal location for growing the country’s most popular grape variety.
Rippon Vineyard, Central Otago
Rippon Vineyard is unusual in its use of biodynamic procedures. The owners of the vineyard refuse to use conventional methods such as chemical fertilisers and pesticides in favour of more holistic farming practices. According to them, this allows them to produce much better varieties of grape and gives the wine its unique flavour. The winery is located on the shores of Lake Wanaka in Central Otago and, like its area competitors, is recognised for producing Pinot Noir grapes. Tastings are casual – anyone can show up at the cellar door at any moment during business hours – and focus on a selection of Rippon’s most recent vintages.
Neudorf Vineyards, Nelson
Neudorf is a modest winery in one of New Zealand’s smallest wine districts that has made a big impression with its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. The Nelson winery also produces a variety of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris varieties and exports to 16 different countries around the world. Individuals and small groups of up to eight people can participate in cellar door tastings based on the wines that are currently available.
Mission Estate, Hawke’s Bay
Mission Estate is well known in the country for being New Zealand’s oldest winery. Founded in 1851, the history of the vineyard is linked to the arrival of a group of early settler French missionaries. After the Hawke’s Bay earthquake, the vineyard underwent a major rebuilding effort, and it was also expanded in 2007 to more than double its production. If you stop by for lunch or supper, the estate’s cellar is housed in a magnificently restored seminary structure, and there’s also a restaurant where you can enjoy some fine dining to go with these special wines.
Stonyridge Vineyard, Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island wine tasters appreciate Stonyridge for its elegant Cabernet blends, which include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec. A green olive grove plantation, a gorgeous Veranda Café, and a function centre that is quite popular for weddings round out the area and make this a place for any occasion. If you’re planning to visit, you should make sure the vineyard isn’t in use for any special events.