N.Z. Wine Regions and Wineries – Recommendations

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For my sins I am going to find myself in New Zealand mid-September, with 3 spare days to fill. I haven’t had an opportunity to taste too many N.Z. wines, so I’d like to explore their offerings in more detail. I’m keen on experiencing more Pinot Noir styles, so I’m thinking the South Island is probably the safest bet. I’m not sure whether to head straight for central Otago and concentrate on that region, or if I should stick to the more northerly climes of Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Waipara etc.


So for all you seasoned travellers, does anyone have any recommendations about where I should focus my energies to maximise my NZ wine tasting experience? Are there any must visit wineries that I need to add to my itinerary?


Cheers,
DB
 
It depends a bit where you are starting from and going to after. Also whether you are focused on Pinot Noir or other varieties.

Hawkes Bay area has quite a few good wineries in a relatively compact area, including Craggy range, Te Mata, Unison, Pask, Vidal etc., with the best Syrah and some good Cabernet/Merlot etc in that region. Wineries: A-Z

If you are in Auckland it is worthwhile doing a day trip (and mini-bus tour) around a few wineries there. The wines are expensive, but the bus tour includes tastings of some fairly good wines.

If you are more interested in Pinot, then Martinborough/Wairapa and Central Otago are more likely to suit. I'm just starting to research Central Otago, I'll be in that area for a week in October, first time.
 
Some good C.Otago pinots I've tried:

Valli, Wooing Tree, Rockburn, Quartz Reef, Mt Difficulty, Felton Road. Quite a few of these are in and around Cromwell. It's a good place to start I think. If going in the next few months bring warm clothes.

The Waipara region is interesting. Their rieslings are delicate and fragrant, some really great chardonnay. Wineries to seek out are Blacks, Pegasus Bay, Greystone. Also Pyramid Valley if you're feeling wealthy (I think they are overpriced).

For Cromwell have a look here:
https://www.google.com.au/search?client=firefox-b&biw=1585&bih=732&q=cromwell+wineries&npsic=0&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=-45037735,169192493,1700&tbm=lcl&ved=0ahUKEwjZ783mjbHOAhVINpQKHZwnBmQQtgMIHQ&tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:9


 
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I'm just starting to research Central Otago, I'll be in that area for a week in October, first time.
My wife's from down there, personally not a huge fan of Pinot so like Hawkes Bay Syrah (the fact I have an uncle there who's a big wine fan plays no part in my preference!).

But if Pinot is your go, Martinborough or Central Otago are definitely the places to see. In Central, Bannockburn has the greatest density of good wineries in pretty the much the whole country IMO, favourites include Carrick, Mt Difficulty, Felton Road, Hinton. Aside from this Chard Farm and Northburn station are very attractive to visit.
 
Completely agree I would go either Martinborough (just North of Wellington with a windy drive) and Central Otago for Pinot Noir. If staying Martinborough then Peppers is quite nice! There is a wine centre in Martinborough - or the 4 square to go to, otherwise Queenstown for Central Otago Pinot. I do like Amisfield down there and there are 2 pinots but I think the less expensive is nicer than the more expensive. Can't remember which one. There is also a wine centre in Queenstown.

There is also a Gammay Noir which Te Mata do (based in Hawkes Bay) and I got this from Pak n Save Royal Oak Auckland but haven't been able to find elsewhere so ordered a case from the cellar door. Very smooth. Bit lighter than the pinot noir.
 
Thanks to everyone for their kind suggestions. We landed in Queenstown today, after spending a few days poking around Auckland and surrounds. Our only stop today was an appointment at Felton Road.

Their cellar door was closed while it is being refurbished, so we were escorted up to the top of one of their winery blocks for an impromtu alfresco tasting. As you can see the scenery was stunning as were their wines, and we had the most relaxed friendly tasting I have ever experienced. A big thumbs up for the good folk at Felton Road.
IMG_0852a.jpg

More Central Otago madness to follow tomorrow. :)
 
There's so many excellent wineries to visit in CO. Akaru near FR is v good, some of the smaller ones are great experiences, such as Mt Edward, Pisa Range. Highly recommended.

plus Gibston valley, Wild Earth, Carrick, Chard farm (fabulous drive), peregrine, Mt Duffulcty, Rippon( great views of lake Wanaka),Amisfield... And many more.

Have a fabulous time!

A TR would be excellent.
 
You should start up a dedicated TR DB

There's so many excellent wineries to visit in CO. Akaru near FR is v good, some of the smaller ones are great experiences, such as Mt Edward, Pisa Range. Highly recommended.

plus Gibston valley, Wild Earth, Carrick, Chard farm (fabulous drive), peregrine, Mt Duffulcty, Rippon( great views of lake Wanaka),Amisfield... And many more.

Have a fabulous time!

A TR would be excellent.

DB, I don't recall seeing up you outside the Frequent Flyer Wine Lovers threads - to save you time hunting, you can start a Trip Report here
 
Mt difficulty is a nice spot to eat also but you may have to book, can be busy.
Akarua has some yummy wines also. I even bought a rose which surprised me. I very much liked the presenter here.
I think those 2 along with chard farm and it might be peregrine (I've not been :() are actually the 4 biggest wineries in that region but Gibbston valley is more well known due to advertising and has the cheese place also. And its closer to Queenstown. But I really think these other wineries further out are worth it.
 
Mt difficulty is a nice spot to eat also but you may have to book, can be busy.
Akarua has some yummy wines also. I even bought a rose which surprised me. I very much liked the presenter here.
I think those 2 along with chard farm and it might be peregrine (I've not been :() are actually the 4 biggest wineries in that region but Gibbston valley is more well known due to advertising and has the cheese place also. And its closer to Queenstown. But I really think these other wineries further out are worth it.

Thanks, we're staying in a Gibbston vineyard based B&B, so it is going to our central base for exploration. This morning we're planning a trip to Peregrine, Gibbston Valley and Chard Farm. We're then going to take the mountain road up through Cardrona to Wanaka to visit Ripon, Two Degrees and then back via Lake Dustan to Pisa Range. We've saved the other Cromwell and Bannockburn vineyards for tomorrow.

Many of the places we'd like to visit are not open at this time of the year, so we're just playing it by ear, and waiting to hear back regarding some private tastings.

DB, I don't recall seeing up you outside the Frequent Flyer Wine Lovers threads - to save you time hunting, you can start a Trip Report here

Thanks Steady, that's a whole new world for me. I feel nice and safe inside our little wine universe. I'm not sure I'm ready to step out into the big bad world yet. I'll see how I go for time.
 
I was planning to start a new thread but perhaps I can breathe some new life into this one… DB where art thou???

We will stop in Blenheim for two nights mid December and I have pencilled in a morning to have a little wine hunt.
Seems the wine tours are very commercial and favour the big vineyards, so I am hoping to put together a few gems in the morning perhaps using a cab if the distances are not great , before lunching somewhere,
In the afternoon I plan to squelch my way through the Omaka aviation heritage centre….
Any suggestion welcomed..
 
I was planning to start a new thread but perhaps I can breathe some new life into this one… DB where art thou???

We will stop in Blenheim for two nights mid December and I have pencilled in a morning to have a little wine hunt.
Seems the wine tours are very commercial and favour the big vineyards, so I am hoping to put together a few gems in the morning perhaps using a cab if the distances are not great , before lunching somewhere,
In the afternoon I plan to squelch my way through the Omaka aviation heritage centre….
Any suggestion welcomed..
Worth doing Cloudy Bay and Brancott Estate for the history but consider Te Whare Ra, Nautilus, Forrest Estate, Hertzog, Isabel, Wither Hills, Seresin, Dog Point amongst others. If you’ve got time head to the bottom of the region and visit Yearlands just for the sheer size of the vineyards and you could do Spy Valley on the way.
 
Just returned from my Nephew's wedding at Wanaka. Whilst we were there we had lunch at Mt Difficulty. Great food and fabulous views. Tried a couple of Roaring Meg Pino's but settled on the 2017 Mt Difficulty Pinot. Terrific wine, smooth texture and lots of flavour.
 
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