Visiting New Zealand's Wine Country

A visit to New Zealand is not complete without a trip to the east coast of the country to visit the wine country. On both the North and South Islands, the wine country areas differ quite a bit. The North Island's wine country produces mostly a variety of red grapes and therefore red wines; the south island produces primarily white grapes; therefore mostly white wines (including Pinot Noir) as well as sparkling wines. The single best time to visit these areas of the country are in March and in to April, as grapes are being harvested during this time and the wineries are in full production mode.

Vineyards on the North Island extend from nearly as far south as Wellington up the east coast to the Hawke's Bay area. A stay near Napier is perfect because the beach is a half-hour away, and a good number of wineries (30+) are within about a half-hour drive. 2 of the 3 oldest wineries in New Zealand are located in Taradale, just off of Church Road. The oldest, Mission Winery, is a former seminary, and has been in existence since 1851. The vineyard is home to both red and white grapes, and the types of wine that are produced range from dessert wines to typical whites and reds.

Right next door, the Church Road winery offers a tour of the estate so that visitors can see how the wine is actually made. $12NZ covers the cost of the hour-long tour, which includes close-up encounters with red wine oak barrels and white wine processing equipment. After the tour, a complimentary tasting includes 4 wines as well as an expert narration of each one, which is perfect for beginners, intermediate wine enthusiasts, as well as amateur sommeliers.

The heart of New Zealand's South Island's wine country is in the heart of Marlborough, including the towns of Blenheim and Renwick. Blenheim is a short (half-hour) drive from Picton; those who are staying on the North Island can easily take the ferry from Wellington to Picton (3 hours) and then drive a short half-hour to Blenheim. A variety of places to stay are available in both Blenheim and Renwick, though the majority are bed and breakfast-style places that can be quite upscale and therefore quite expensive. If you have a high budget, try to stay at a place on one of the estates to enjoy the ultimate wine experience.

Begin your South Island wine country experience with a trip to the Highfield winery, which offers a variety of white wines including Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Before settling in for a wine tasting, be sure to visit the viewing tower, which will afford the best view of the Renwick valley and surrounding vineyards. Highfield is best known for their Sauvignon Blanc but taste the variety of wines available to choose a favorite. The restaurant is open from 11am through the mid-afternoon and serves a variety of coffees and light bites.

An excellent small winery to visit is the Forrest estate. The personalized attention and patient sommelier are well worth the visit and this winery produces a variety of white wines including an excellent Rose and several vintages of Riesling that vary from moderately dry to sweet. For a large vineyard visit, try the Montana winery, just south of Blenheim, which also offers a restaurant.

Be advised that US Customs allows two bottles of wine per person to re-enter the country duty-free, but nearly all wineries are willing to ship cases of wine, duty pre-paid, internationally with an average of about $250NZ per case (to the United States), plus the cost of the wine itself.

Mission Winery: http://www.missionestate.co.nz/
Church Road Winery: http://www.churchroad.co.nz/
Forrest Winery: http://www.forrest.co.nz/
Highfield Estate Winery: http://www.highfield.co.nz/