South Island, New Zealand

South Island wine regions

Five of New Zealand’s 10 major wine regions occupy the South Island, from Nelson and Marlborough at the northern tip, to pinot powerhouse Central Otago furthest south.

Nelson, in the northwest, is known for its rugged mountains and golden beaches, as well as its vibrant arts scene. Fruit and farming industries have traditionally dominated the region, and while wine production is small, overall quality is impressive. Like neighbouring Marlborough, Nelson enjoys plenty of sunshine, with temperatures mitigated by nearby Cook Strait, and although largely dry, autumn rains can sometimes pose an issue. The region is best known for sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, pinot gris and chardonnay.

To Nelson’s right, on the northeastern coast, Marlborough is New Zealand’s sunniest, driest, and largest wine region. Around 80 percent of the country’s wine is made from the region’s almost 30,000 hectares of productive grape vines. It’s famous for its intense and heady expressions of sauvignon blanc, which first drew the world’s attention to New Zealand wine in the 1980s, and makes pinot noir, pinot gris and chardonnay, too.

Waipara Hills.

Below Marlborough, spanning almost 200 kilometres of the eastern coastline, is North Canterbury. The Southern Alps which lie to the west protect the region from extreme weather, ensuring low rainfall, lots of sunshine and warm summers. North Canterbury is mostly home to boutique wineries who produce pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and riesling.

Inland, on Canterbury’s southern border, is the Waitaki Valley, a tiny subregion of North Otago. Young, even by New Zealand standards – the first vines were planted in 2001 – it has nonetheless generated enough interest and excitement over its short history to warrant its own classification. While the varieties grown (predominantly pinot noir) and styles of wine made here are similar to neighbouring Central Otago, subtle differences in soil and climate give Waitaki Valley wines their own personality. 

Central Otago, one of the world’s southernmost wine regions, is as famous for its pinot noir as it is the raw, natural beauty of its remarkable landscapes. As well as a world-class wine industry, it’s home to a thriving tourist culture who come for its ski fields in winter and hikes and extreme sports year-round. Unlike the rest of New Zealand, the climate in Central Otago is continental, thanks to the surrounding mountains, and while conditions can be extreme, dry growing seasons mean grapes are rarely threatened by fungal disease. Diverse, mountainous terrain, altitudes and soils have resulted in six main subregions, each with a distinct expression of pinot noir. The subregion of Bannockburn is so distinct that in 2022 it sought to be classified as a geographical indication (GI) in its own right, as well as a subregion of Central Otago.