If you are planning a New Zealand wine vacation, you’ll want to visit the various vineyards on the country’s South Island. It may surprise you to know that many wine lovers move to New Zealand simply for the lifestyle and wineries that New Zealand has to offer. Here are some of the top vineyards in New Zealand, including Bell Hill, Black Estate, Kahurangi Estate, Trinity Hill, and Waiheke Island. Read on to find out more about these vineyards and how to visit them! But, before you make any plans, you need to know where to start.
Bell Hill Vineyards
For wine lovers, where to find New Zealand vineyards can be an absolute must-do on a trip to the country. New Zealand has large vineyard growing regions and many wineries are dedicated to sustainable and renewable farming practices. Whether you’re looking to find the most luxurious Pinot Noir or the freshest Sauvignon Blanc, you can be sure that New Zealand is a wine lover’s dream come true. Luckily, you can explore New Zealand’s wine regions for yourself by visiting one of these fantastic wineries.
Kahurangi Estate is a family-owned vineyard in Nelson. This vineyard is situated within Kahurangi National Park and is home to the oldest Riesling vines in the South Island. Other popular wines are Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. You can visit the Kahurangi Estate cellar door seven days a week and sample wines from the vineyards. The wines produced here range from affordable to top-of-the-line.
Black Estate Vineyards
The Black Estate vineyard is a family-run operation in New Zealand, which was named NZ Organic Vineyard of the Year in 2009. They have a winery restaurant and recently opened B&B on the property. Although Central Otago is the focus of many wineries, North Canterbury and Martinborough are also producing some interesting wines. The production of wine is naturally low in both regions, which means that the amount of wine can be larger but more interesting.
The vineyards at Black Estate are organically farmed and managed using biodynamic practices. The philosophy of this winery is to express the unique character of each vineyard site through its wines. There is little interference with the vines, no chemicals and no filtering. The vineyards at Black Estate are spread across three separate vineyard blocks. Each site features a different aspect and soil type. A tasting of the vineyards is highly recommended.
Trinity Hill
If you’re planning a visit to New Zealand, you’ll want to take note of where the best vineyards are. The North Canterbury region, around Auckland, is one of the country’s leading wine-growing regions, producing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling. You will frequently see Auckland movers branding Wineries in the Bay of Plenty and Waitaki Valley which are also notable for producing exceptional varieties. For example, the Pyramid Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is loaded with tropical fruit notes, and the Mt. Beautiful vineyard is famous for producing clean, restrained Rieslings.
Wineries in New Zealand are spread across the North and South Islands, most of them in the rain shadow of the mountains. In both locations, you can enjoy the scenery and taste some of the world’s best wines. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just looking for a good wine to drink, a visit to a vineyard in New Zealand will give you plenty of reasons to fall in love with the country’s famous wines.
Kahurangi Estate
Founded more than 20 years ago on the former Seifried Estate site in Upper Moutere, Kahurangi Estate has evolved into a major wine and liquor production business. The estate’s owners eventually sold parts of the property, but the brand itself remains. A couple and three senior staff members acquired the brand, adding a keen eye for marketing. In addition to importing wines from around the world, the Kahurangi estate also ferments wine from its own vineyard in Waipara.
The Kahurangi Estate, New Zealand vineyard is a family-owned boutique winery that produces hand-crafted premium wines. The vineyard was planted in 1973, making it one of the oldest commercial vineyards in the South Island. The vineyard’s name, Kahurangi, means “treasure” in Maori. Its logo is a stylised Nikau palm, which was a prized food source for indigenous Maori tribes in the South Island.
Kim Crawford
One of the best-selling New Zealand wines is Sauvignon Blanc from Kim Crawford, one of the top producers in the country. In 1996, Kim started a virtual winery, which was hailed as a unique approach to the art of winemaking. With years of experience in New Zealand, Kim Crawford collaborated with various growers to produce wine labels in the country. Ultimately, the winery’s philosophies and methods have made it one of the most sought-after New Zealand wines.
In 1996, Kim Crawford launched his own range. Grapes from various regions were used to produce the wines, which are well-made commercial wines but not particularly exciting. Kim Crawford wines go well with dishes containing vibrant reds and are best with spicy dishes. For more information, visit the Kim Crawford website. You can also buy Kim Crawford wines in a variety of flavors, including dessert and hot chocolate. The New Zealand vineyards by Kim Crawford website is full of useful information and tips for purchasing Kim Crawford wines.
Cloudy Bay Vineyards
Cloudy Bay Vineyards is a winery in the Marlborough wine region of New Zealand. The vineyards are located in both Central Otago and Marlborough. Cloudy Bay produces both white and red wines. If you love wine, Cloudy Bay is definitely worth a visit. Its white wines are excellent with seafood. While the white wines are more popular, the reds are delicious as well. Cloudy Bay Vineyards was founded by David Hohnen in 1985. He also founded Cape Mentelle Vineyards in Margaret River, Australia. The winery is named after James Cook’s discovery of Cloudy Bay in 1770. The vineyards are located on Wairau Valley, which is 8 km north-west of Blenheim. There are two cellar doors for wine enthusiasts. Both of them feature a wide selection of wines.