Nelson
This picturesque region, found on the northern tip of the South Island, benefits from high sunshine hours, a sheltered, moderating coastal climate and free-draining, semi-fertile soil
Main City
Nelson
Main towns/villages
- Richmond
- Motueka
- Takaka
- Mapua
Nelson
The softly rolling Moutere Hills are formed from the weathered gravels of an ancient river system, which originally reached from St Arnaud to the coast. The gravel-threaded clay soils are renowned for producing wines of richness and texture. The Pinot Noir is deeply flavoured with fine tannins and elegance. The Chardonnay is complex and multi-faceted with excellent structure. Winemakers also produce excellent Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Gris.
Waimea means ’river gardens’ in Maori - with stony soils of alluvial origin, high sunshine hours and a moderating maritime influence, the Waimea Plains provide a great terroir. The aromatic whites are vibrant wines, often with a flinty backbone acting as a counterpoint to the overt fruit flavours, while the Chardonnay here is richly expressive with fine acid structure. The Pinot Noir is perfumed and pretty - plum and cherry characters on the nose with the ripeness carrying through to the supple tannins on the palate.
Simply unforgettable.
Per hectare of vines planted, Nelson consistently wins more awards than the other regions in New Zealand. The region has a great reputation for the aromatic varieties – Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer. It also has its own distinctive take on Sauvignon Blanc, some exquisite examples of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and some superb “stickies”. Nelson wines are sold around the world, but you have the chance to experience our wines in the place they were created.
“It is this skilled, artistic approach to winemaking rather than a factory-focused one that makes the synergy between wine and art so natural in the Nelson region. These are creative people with a hands-on approach to the winemaking process”.
- Joelle Thomson, Wine Writer
“Nelson is home to New Zealand’s finest aromatics”
- Steven Spurrier, Decanter UK
“There’s no doubt that Nelson produces some of the country’s most irresistible and gratifying wines”
- Sam Kim
*Photo credit Mahana Estate, Nelson
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