7 Must-try NZ Top Wineries

New Zealand’s wine regions extend 1,600km from subtropical Northland down to Central Otago, home to the world’s most southerly vineyards. Its vineyards benefit from the moderating effect of the maritime climate, long sunshine hours and nights cooled by sea breezes, ideal for planting quality grapes. Its wine regions vary with unique soils and climatic conditions, producing wines that perfectly express their own regional/sub-regional characteristics under the meticulous care of winemakers.

Here we introduce 7 incredible New Zealand wineries, 5 of which are among top 20s selected by The Real Review, a renowned wine critic alliance in “Top New Zealand Wineries 2020”, along with 2 new comers specially picked by us that worth your attention!

Pegasus Bay is an acclaimed family-owned winery in Waipara Valley, located in North Canterbury, on the east coast of the South Island. Master of Wine & Mr. New Zealand Wine Bob Campbell MW has said “Pegasus Bay gets my vote for Waipara’s top winery”, by producing exceptionally good wines in adventurous, out of the mainstream styles. It was ranked #20 in The Real Review’s “Top New Zealand Wineries 2020”.

Pyramid Valley has a strong belief in Biodynamics: its wine-making process obeys the principles of nature with low production. It was ranked #12 in The Real Review’s “Top New Zealand Wineries 2020”. Founders Mike and Claudia Elze Weersing spent 15 years searching the world to find the perfect place to grow grapes. Not until 2000, they purchased a land near Waikari Estate, North Canterbury, to start their own winery and make it home.

In 2018, they further expanded their production to Manata Estate, Central Otago. Waikari is a unique site where rich, rocky, limestone and clay derived soils sit on high-altitude north and east facing slopes. Vineyards of Pyramid Valley are among some of the best facing lands, producing high-quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. As for the Manata Estate, blessed with some of the oldest vines in Central Otago and unique soils that are high in natural humus and organic matter, it creates exceptional Pinot Noir.

Their wine labels are painted with flowers, which in fact are the weeds grown on each vineyards. Pyramid Valley keeps the weeds on their vineyards on purpose, which can enhance the microorganism bio-diversity in the soils and thus provide the necessary energy/nutrients to the plants. Also, the weeds can hold the soils to reduce erosion. They even name the vineyards after the “weeds”, including Earth smoke, Angel Flower, Lion’s Tooth and Field of Fire. One of the vineyards Earth Smoke, for example, is planted with Fumitory, which will become beautiful crimson colour flowers when mature. Their leaves grow from the land at dawn just like rising smoke, inspiring the owners to name the farm as Earth Smoke.

Quartz Reef has been considered the pioneer in Bendigo, thanks to Radi’s rigorous research in local suitability for viticulture in the 90s, which turned out to have identified multiple lands perfect for planting grapes to start the winemaking industry. Till now, this sub-region accounts for 25% of Central Otago’s wine production.

Felton Road is unquestionably an artisan, boutique winery, located in Bannockburn, Central Otago. It is one of the most well-known and acclaimed producers in New Zealand and was ranked #4 in The Real Review “Top New Zealand Wineries 2020”. Owner Nigel Greening has always been the No.1 fan of Felton Road. He purchased the estate in 2002 and focused on planting grapes according to the biodynamic principle ever since.

As the superstar of Felton Road, its Pinot Noir was awarded with the highest honour, Five Stars, in The Great New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification and considered the best interpretation of the variety in the New World. Its Pinot Noir is cultivated in Burgundian style with elegance and finesse that truly reflect the distinctive characteristics of its terroir; as for the whites, Chardonnay and Riesling have also received great review as well, which makes Felton Road a winery not to be missed.

Craggy Range is a family owned winery situated in the shadow of the spectacular Te Mata Peak in Hawke’s Bay, offering luxury vineyard accommodation and pairs with an award-winning restaurant. For certain, it also produces world-class, highly-rated wines – not only from Hawke’s Bay, but also Martinborough and Marlborough. Its flagship wine, Sophia has beat several renowned classed growths of Bordeaux, including Mouton, Rauzan-Segla, Pontet-Canet and ranked #1 in a blind tasting, making Craggy Range’s on everyone’s lips.

“Transparency” is one of their characteristics in production. They disclose every single ingredient in their wines, including what enzyme and yeast are used. This reflects their philosophy of life to enjoy life while creating delicious and thought-provoking wines that cuts through in the world of noise. Deep Down’s wines give people an impression of carefree and comfort, but “down deep” it has a firm conviction and attitude which is praiseworthy.

Gladstone Vineyard is located in Gladstone, a central sub-region of Wairarapa Valley, planted along the river terraces of the Ruamahanga River, which has a unique free-draining soil. The semi-maritime microclimatic conditions of its vineyards provides ideal conditions for the ripening grapes. As a fast-growing wine region, Wairarapa’s potential is gradually realized, by producing low-yield, yet concentrated fruit. The core of Gladstone Vineyard is to become one of the best Pinot Noir producers in New Zealand. Its Pinot Noirs are savoury, well-structured and age extremely well.